I am to furnish the information necessary to facilitate the progress of a new revenue survey.
By your letter of 18th instant I learn that a Commission has been appointed consisting of the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Surveyor General and two other members to deal with the so-called "squatters question" and that it is proposed to issue leases to all Squatters who can prove a claim on the land from occupation over a certain period. It will thus become necessary to survey all lands occupied by Squatters and as these are situated in all parts of the Colony, occupy large areas composed of a vast number of minute holdings it is needless to say that a survey of all these lands for the purpose of issuing plans to attach to the leases will add very largely to the work embraced in the new Survey of the Colony.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
J. S. Brown,
Surveyor General.