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the Land Transfer Draughtsman, Mr. Leversedge, showing a complete list of the nature of the dealings carried out during the year. The large arrears of work at the beginning of the financial year have been overtaken, and the work on hand reduced to a reasonable compass, and should this favourable condition continue I hope in time to be able to commence the renovation of the record maps without increasing the present staff, which is a very much needed work. Other II ork. This comprises miscellaneous surveys executed by Messrs. Allom, Cunningham, Cray, and Wilson, the particulars of which are given on Table 1 attached. Surrey Inspection. Owing to the pressure of settlement surveys only two inspections have been made during the year. Proposed Operations for tin Year, 1912-13. —During the present year the undermentioned lands will be prepared for settlement : Bourndale Settlement, 1,580 acres; Claremont Settlement, 2,440 acres: Waimate Settlement, 1,600 acres; Aylesbury Settlement, 1,000 acres; Avenal Settlement, 521 acres; Timaunga Settlement, 3,459 acres; and others that may be acquired; also the subdivision of the Greta small grazing-runs, the surveying of the Ashley Valley Road, and the Oxford bush-workers' subdivisions, the completion of the Mount Pee] exchanges, and other miscellaneous surveys that may be required. Transfers and Resignations. Mr, Haszard, Chief Draughtsman, was promoted to be Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for Westland in January, and Mr. Price, Chief Draughtsman, Napier, succeeded him there. Mr, Mountfort, District Surveyor, Auckland, was transferred to the district in August. Mr. Morison, District Surveyor, Mr. Harrop, District Surveyor, and Mr. Cunningham, assistant surveyor, were temporarily transferred here from Westland in November and December, and the two former still remain. Miss Oillanders, computer, was transferred from Wellington in October, and Mr. Henderson, draughtsman, was appointed to this office during the year. Messrs. Newman and Freeman, draughtsmen, resigned to take up appointments outside the Department. Office-work. -The Chief Draughtsman. Mr. Price, reports that the office staff has had a strenuous year preparing all the necessary data for the respective settlements, besides the preparation of the plans and tracings for photo-lithography and the schedules and descriptions for notification. Fifty-seven Public Works plans, forty road-deviation plans, twelve land-for-settlement plans, and twenty-live other plans have been checked ami recorded, besides the usual tracings for local bodies, surveyors, and Gazette notices. The plan of the Timaru Borough was completed, and lithos published, making a most useful map. Owing to the pressure of general wink and the limited staff, the plan of the Ainiiri County for photo-lithography has not been completed. Hoxvever, I hope to have this done when an opportunity occurs. In conclusion. I beg to thank the staff for their willing oo operation and assistance. T. X. Brodrick, Chief Surveyor.

OTAGO. Minor Triungulatiou. —No work was done under this heading, but there are several districts that should be revised when opportunity offers. Rural. —Two staff surveyors, Messrs. Barron and Burton, were engaged continuously on this work, and two, Messrs. ('aider and Neill. for a combined period of three months. They have been seriously handicapped in their work by the very wet and windy season. Especially is this the case with Mr. Burton, whose work has been mostly in the southern districts. The total area returned lor the year is 51,122 acres, at a cost of To3s. pjr acre, and particularized as follows: 24,817 acres divided into small runs and accurately .surveyed ; 12,432 acres divided into 81 allotments, being f he Conical Hills and Elderslie No. 2 Settlement recently acquired by the Crown : 13.873 acres, more than half of which was rough bush land, divided into 62 sections. Town Surveys. —Mr. W.. T. Neill. considering the exceptional bad season, has made good progress with the standard survey of the city, and up to date some fifty miles of streets have been traversed ami marked. It was ray intention to have had Mr. Burton assisting in this work last year, but his services were required in connection with settlement and other surveys. During the coming year, however, he may be able to help with it. Nine plans of new towns were examined and approved by Ihe Governor under section 16 of the Land Act, 1908. Mining Surveys. —Seventeen surveys representing 23 sections and comprising 883 acres were examined and approved. These were all made by private surveyors on the fee system or by private arrangement. Roads and Railways. —Thirteen surveys were received and approved, all of them having been made by private surveyors. Land Transfer Surveys. —ll6 plans, representing an area of 17,150 acres, were examined, recorded, and approved, the work being uniformly very good. Proposed Operations for the Year. — The standard survey will occupy the pride of place, under the direction of Mr. Neill. with, if possible, Mr. Burton. Mr. D. [. Barron has completed the surveys of Moutere and Lower Wanaka runs, and is engaged upon various application and spotting surveys, which will engage his attention probably until the surveyors are called in for the winter recess. On resumption of field-work his services will probably, if the policy of acquiring land for settlements be pushed on, be available for survey of any estate acquired, or for the subdivisions of areas of Crown lands for settlement in Central OtagO. Office-work. —The following plans were examined, approved, and recorded -viz.. I 16 Land Transfer. 13 roads and railway, 17 mining, and 61 staff—a total of 207. Plans foi- photo-lithography : 52 tracings lor sale posters were prepared, also 80-chain maps of Kakanui. Warepa. Waipahi. and Nenlhorn Survey Districts, and the Town of Cromwell, Hull, and Glenorehv ; 23 plans of private townships and subdivisions were reduced and lithographed in this office lor addition to the large map of Dunedin and suburbs; 10 maps were made for Land Office purposes, also new county maps of Bruce and Waitaki. and 10 large compilations for the Stock Department. 3—C. la.