7

C.—lA

Mr. J. Y. Dixon joined the Department as a draughting cadet, rising to the position of draughtsman in charge of the road-legalization and Crown-grant branch of the North Auckland office. In his official career he showed ability and tact, and carried out his duties with credit to himself and the Department. Mr. A. J. Morrison joined the service as a draughtsman in 1886. During the whole of his official career he was stationed in the Dunedin office. His work as a photo-litho draughtsman was of high order, and he carried out his official duties in a most conscientious manner. He was a high-class photographer and artist, and his services in that capacity were often made use of by the Department. Mr. F. J. Halse was appointed to the Department in 1879 as a draughting cadet, showing marked apitude in his work. He was a zealous and painstaking officer, and at the time of his retirement was lithographic draughtsman in the Wellington office. Appointment , Transfers, Ac.— Mr. A. W. Craig was appointed Chief Draughtsman and Land Transfer draughtsman, Nelson (1/9/26) ; Mr. F. R. Burnley, Land Transfer draughtsman, was appointed to the position of Chief Draughtsman, North Auckland (1/1/27) ; Mr. L. J. Pofi, surveyor, Wellington, appointed Land Transfer draughtsman, North Auckland. Obituary.—lt is with regret that I have to record the passing-away of the late J. H. W. Parsons, draughtsman, of the Auckland office. Mr. Parsons, who joined the Department in 1906, was a keen, zealous officer, courteous and painstaking in the discharge of his official duties. The sympathy of the Department is extended to his widow and family in their sad loss. Appreciation. —In conclusion, I am pleased to bring under your notice and to place on record the appreciation by the various Chief Surveyors of the manner in which their officers have carried out their duties during the year, and I desire to convey my thanks to the whole of the Survey staff for their good work. W. T. Neill, Surveyor-General.

Table 1. —Return of Field-work executed by Head Office Staff from 1st April, 1926 to 31st March, 1927.

Standard Surveys. Geodetic Triangulation. — — — Other Work District. Completed. In Progress. Completed. In Progress. Miles. | Cost. j Miles, j Cost. mUm* Coat - Mil" 6 1 Cost - Cost - £ s. d. £ s. d. I £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. North Auckland .. 23 1,215 13 3 13 531 10 3 J .. I .. .. 623 10 S Auckland .. \ _ | 7 200 6 564 J8 0 Uisborne .. j Taranaki .. .. .. 60 4,392 16 8 Southland .... .. 60 4,570 2 10 .. .. .. .. j ' I i I 'I