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WELLINGTON LAND DISTRICT (T. S. Roe, Chief Surveyor) Field-work During the year field operations have been confined mainly to rehabilitation land-settlement surveys. Topographical surveys of 16 blocks, comprising a total area of 23,400 acres, have been completed. Eight blocks of a total area of 7,546 acres have been subdivided into 35 units. Topographical surveys in hand or awaiting survey, 7 blocks, 16,000 acres ; and 4 blocks are being subdivided or awaiting survey into 12 sections, total area, 2,600 acres. Several large blocks are being developed and will be subdivided at a later date. In most cases a complete topographical survey has been made, showing contours, fences, buildings, areas in bush, scrub, swamp, &c., and areas in grass or crops, with a description of the types of pastures or crops. On flat areas a comprehensive level survey has been made to facilitate drainage schemes. In some cases subdivisional surveys have been carried out by contract surveyors, and as the wor|k is increasing it will in future be necessary for most of this work to be done by contract surveyors. The surveyors are now equipped with well-appointed trucks fitted with box-van bodies, which greatly assist in carrying out the work expeditiously and efficiently: The mapping party, under the charge of Mr. W. Watson, carried, on operations in the Wairarapa district until August last, when it was found necessary to disband the party, as the field staff was required for more urgent rehabilitation land-settlement surveys. It is hoped that field staff will be available in the near future to continue this most important work, until the whole of the district has been covered. It was hoped that a start would be made on the revision and extension of the "Wellington standards, but again, owing to shortage of staff, this very necessary work has had to be postponed. No triangulation work has been done during the year. Complaints have been received from private surveyors that several trigs around Wellington City and the vicinity have either been destroyed or obscured by trees; also in a number of instances the signals are down. I hope that it will be possible to carry out the necessary repairs in the near future, and also that revision of minor triangulation can be proceeded with. An extensive topographical survey for the Housing Department in the Poriraa - Titahi Bay area has been commenced. Mr. J. P. Arthurs is in charge of operations, and the work is being done by stadia survey to allow for 5 ft. contours plotted on a scale of 1 chain to an inch. One inspection survey was carried out by Mr. A. E. Christian, and an investigation survey by Mr. N. J. Gardiner; but more inspections are necessary to ensure that a high standard of work is maintained, both as to measurements and, ground marking. A series of levels were taken by Mr. N. J. Gardiner to check the tide gauge installed on the Wellington wharf. He also carried out a survey for Army Department at Wrights Hill, fixing a miniature range. Housing and various legalization surveys were all done by contract surveyors. Office Work Rehabilitation land-settlement operations and urgent work for other Departments has occupied mosti of the time of the draughting staff, so that routine work has been somewhat neglected. Although a number of draughts-

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