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Dominion) were developed under, war conditions when staff was conscripted from various sources. These maps, which admittedly are not up to normal mapping standards, have, however, proved to be invaluable for many governmental purposes. The demand for more detailed maps on large scales and the extension of .mapping into territory of which little is known is of utmost importance to production in this country. Our potential resources can only be assessed on the basis of accurate and detailed maps, the cost of which is small in comparison with the benefits derived. At present there is only one small mapping party operating in the Rotorua— Taupo district, where topographical maps are required urgently as a preliminary to the development of unproductive lands in that district. Every effort has been made to. increase staff to be diverted to this class of work, with very little success. Newly qualified surveyors who at one time would have been attracted by a career as a surveyor in the Department are able to obtain better prospects and conditions outside the Service. Departmental field staff have also resigned to take up more attractive jobs outside the Service. In addition .to topographical mapping, which also includes the necessary triangulation control, standard survey and precise levelling traverses are required for more adequate survey and engineering control. Huge expenditures on river-control works are entirely dependent on accurate levels co-ordinated with a common datum. The urgent need for these traverses can be substantiated by a number of Departments of State. The extension of air transport, with the consequent increase in navigational aids and operational procedure, calls for a more detailed knowledge of flying hazards. The accuracy of aeronautical maps and charts are dependent on the extension of topographical surveys, particularly in the environs of airports and airfields. I mention these matters in order to point out the deficiencies of staff and the programme of survey works that are vitally related to the development of resources in the Dominion. Every endeavour will be made in the coming year to overcome the problems, and, if possible, put in hand some of these urgent survey requirements. THANKS I wish to extend my thanks to all my controlling officers and field and office staff for their constant devotion to their duties. R. Gr. Dick, Surveyor-General.

I Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (829 copies), £3B.

By Authority: B. E. Owen, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 949.

Price 6d.]

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