39.35.00
an acre.
282
(3).
Difficulties of ground even in the plains, (out-turn will increase steadily).
(4.) Re-survey owing to errors (not much). Re-survey owing to re-demarcation (altogether I should say 1,000 acres).
(5). Very expensive labour.
(3).
High pay for Field Surveyors compared with India.
Compare:-
Survey of the Nilgiris, 444 square miles = 234,130 acres.
Cost without labour £103,000.
Labour, say about one-third £35,300.
£138,300 = 10s. an acre (or about 28 cents).
It is very apparent that if the Cadastral Survey is to be extended beyond the best district, the Colony must be prepared for a very heavy expenditure of money. About 2-1/2 years ago we were given rough estimates made in a guarded manner by Officers of the Indian Survey Department on very insufficient data.
One of these estimates amounts to 1 Rupee per acre, or say more. 933,400 Rupees for the whole Colony. It was pointed out, however, that these estimates were founded on Burmah rates in a comparatively un-enclosed country, and that in the Straits, where prices are so high we could not expect a native Field Surveyor to work for the same salary as a coolie labourer. Moreover, survey for assessment is a very different thing to survey for title, and the Indian limit of error of 1/100 would be prohibitory in the Straits Settlements.
The last estimate made by Mr. Lawson, with the experience which he has gained of the Straits, is $900,000 exclusive of the Towns, and this he qualifies by saying that this amount is subject to increases of salary which must sometimes be given. If he proceeded at the present rate, a Cadastral Survey of the Settlements (if finally adopted) would not be done for four times this amount, but I believe his first outlay is exceptionally heavy and that his estimate would not turn out to be far wrong. If anything, however, it is too small.
Singapore, July 1883.
(S.) H. M. McCallum, Major, R.E.,
Surveyor-General, S.S.