C.—lA

In November, 1941, it was decided by the Army Department to concentrate on the production of the 1 in. series, priorities being laid down for the mapping of vital areas to meet the requirements of military operations. Mapping on the 1/25,000 'scale was therefore held in abeyance and all personnel transferred to mapping on the 1 in. scale. Army transport, equipment, and trained personnel were made available, and eventually thirteen large mapping parties located throughout various parts of the Dominion. At the end of the year personnel engaged on this work had been reduced by 50 per cent., and further reduction is to be made during the present year. A full report of the Department's mapping operations during the war period will be published at some future date. The progress made to date is set out in the following summaries:—

Summary of 1/25,000 Topographical Mapping carried out as from September, 1939, to 31st March, 1944

As indicated, very little work has been carried out on this series since November, 1941

Summary of 1 Mile to an Inch (1/63,360) Topographical Mapping carried out as from Ist November, 1941, to 31st March, 1944

Approximately 20,000 square miles of the total area of 42,325 square miles scheduled above has been photographed by the New Zealand Aerial Mapping Co., Ltd., Hastings, under contract to the Army Department. Aerial Photography Consequent on the phenomenal increase in mapping operations, the economic organization and control of aerial photography has become a function of the Department. During the past year all aerial photography required for military and other State purposes has been carried out by the New Zealand Aerial Mapping Co., Ijtd., Hastings. By far the largest percentage of the photography has been carried out for the Army Department, forming the basis for about 50 per cent, of the topographical mapping undertaken by the Department. All orders for photography and copies of prints are dealt with by Head Office, Wellington. A complete index of all photography and a photographic library is maintained in Wellington for reference purposes. To facilitate departmental and public requirements, it is proposed to establish as early 'as possible similar indices and libraries in the various Chief Surveyors' offices. During the year the following photography and photographs have been completed and indexed:— Area photographed . . .. . . 5,160 square miles. Number of photographs indexed . . .. 11,654 prints. Air Charts The Department is responsible to the Royal New Zealand Air Force for the preparation of air navigation and air plotting charts of areas in New Zealand and the Pacific. A regular draughting staff is employed at Head Office for this purpose. Miscellaneous Work A large volume of work of a miscellaneous nature has been undertaken for the Armed Services by the staff. The fixing and co-ordinating of gun positions and other vital points, the preparation of special maps and plotting charts, and the copying of maps have been ably carried out to the satisfaction of the Services concerned. Honorary Geographic Board This Board held its eighteenth annual meeting on 27th May, 1943, at which 250 names were dealt with, 192 being approved, the balance being deferred for further investigation.

2—C. IA.

5

! Area (Square , „ — [ Miles). bheet3 ' —TT —-—-T; m I 1 ! 3 rtrnr; PTT ~— Maps published .. .. 950 i 22 Drawings completed .. .. .. 600 14 Mapping in hand (completed) .. . . 880 18 Totals .. .. .. 2,430 54

North Island. South Island. Totals. Area 0 , , Area o, . Area , (Square Miles). ' 1 (Square Miles). k heets ' (Square Miles). Sheets. Maps published .. .. .. 12,025 48 15,225 49 27,250 97 Drawings completed .. .. 2,550 10 4,725 14 7,275 24 Mapping in hand (completed), .... 4,600 .18 3,200 14 7,800 32 I Totals .. .. .. 19,175 76 23,150 77 42,325 153