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Native Branch. —The staff of this branch have again been fully engaged in Native land investigations and the checking of plans, 35 of which have been received, 38 approved, and 16 are awaiting examination. During the year 18 authorities have been issued to survey Native land and 25 Native Land Courts attended. Mapping Branch.—With the return to the staff of the more experienced servicemen from overseas it has been possible to extend the activities of this branch to the extent of preparing 43 record, maps and revising 1 borough map for the printing of lithographs. In addition, 4 basic maps have been prepared from Office records of extra-urban and town-planning districts and 422 subenumerator maps for census purposes. Topographical Mapping Branch. —The small staff available for this work have prepared 3 maps of the 1 : 63360 series, and have another 3 in hand. In addition, co-ordinated plotting points were provided for photographs covering the proposed 1 : 25000 maps of the Whangarei and Kamo districts. . General Draughting Branch. —The volume of work has again increased, and during the year 307 plans have been made from the staff surveyors field notes or official records. Using topographical maps, official records, and, aerial photos, 93 peripheral tracings! for land purchase valuations, and land development were compiled. Thirty-four composite maps covering large areas have been prepared for local bodies. Eighty-nine technical descriptions with and without plans, and 453 tracings for various purposes have been made. Photostats numbering 19,970 and helio-prints numbering 3,754 have been taken, and 372 instructions for surveys issued. Up to the present 26 officers have returned from service with the Forces, and I would record my pleasure in the manner in which they are rehabilitating themselves, after* absences up to five and a half years. They display a keenness and enthusiasm which promises well for their future and for the future of the Department.

GISBORNE LAND DISTRICT (J. S. Strawbridge, Chief Surveyor) Field-work Settlement Surveys: Rehabilitation.—Topographical surveys for the purpose of preparing the final schemes of subdivisions have been carried out over an area of 3,400 acres; and 14 sections, of a total area of 5,072 acres, have been surveyed. Village and Suburban,.—The surveys under this heading comprised 3 stock paddocks, 2 roadman's cottage-sites, 1 school-site, 1 hall-site, 1 dentalclinic site, 1 additional area for railway purposes, and 2 of settlement land for exchange purposes. The area dealt with was 16 acres 3 roods 24 perches. Housing.—An area of acres in the Borough of Grisborne was subdivided into 81 building allotments, The length of new road within the subdivision was 44 chains. Rood Surveys— These covered a length of 4-| miles of road in 4 surveys. All these surveys were deviations or definitions of portions of existing highways. Rural. —The only work under this heading was the survey of an area of acres for a rifle range. Native.—Only two plans were received under this heading. One was for a survey of 1 acre under section 493 of the Native Land Act, 1931, and the other was the subdivision of an area of 6| acres by compiled plan.

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