PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TIL C.O.885
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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At the same time a good reconnaissance map, covering an area of 2,393 square miles, was made on the 1/250,000 scale (nearly 4 miles to the inch).
Captain Knox reached Nairobi on 14th January, 1907, and the computations were completed on the 9th February.
This output may be considered to have taken the trigonometrical branch six months in the year 1906/7.
The following probable errors were realised:-
Base measurement Latitude
Azimuth
Principal Triangulation.—
Average triangular error
Mean triangular error
Probable triangular error
Probable linear error
Probable lateral error
1/304,300
± 0·22 seconds. ± 2.54
"
1.97 seconds. 2:39
"
1.61 "" 2.6 feet
3.8 13
Some delay Minor Triangulation.-Average triangular error 32 seconds. occurred on account of grass fires obscuring the atmosphere, but on the whole the weather conditions were favourable. In considering what should be the average rate of progress, it should be noted that, the Sotik triangulation being rather a short one, the time taken over base measurement and astronomical work was great in proportion to the total work. Also, the line which had to be taken being a little- known one, reconnaissance and the selection of points consumed more time than is likely to be the case in the future. I expect to attain a somewhat greater rate of progress, whilst maintaining about the same accuracy.
On February 6th Captain Knox and Lieutenant Cox proceeded to the Athi Plains to prepare a fresh base, and to erect beacons. By the end of the year we had finished our measurement of the base and our observations for latitude and azimuth. We had also observed the greater part of our base extensions.
The computations are not yet complete, but it appears likely that the former limits of accuracy will be somewhat improved on.
The following probable errors have been realised :-
Latitude Azimuth
-
013 seconds. ± 0·6
"
The additional area covered is so far, of course, trifling, but a clear start in the operations of the year 1907-1908 should tell in that year.
CADASTRAL BRANCHI.
Staff-The Deputy Director of Surveys, Mr. E. L. Waring, previously Assistant Chief Surveyor and Land Officer, was appointed in April, 1906, in charge of this branch. From August to December he performed the additional duties of Land Officer, during the absence on leave of Mr. Barton Wright.
Survey. The staff consists of the Assistant Director, Mr. A. E. Townsend, appointed in August, 1906; five Government surveyors; two temporary surveyors; two Indian assistant surveyors; and eight licensed surveyors. Only five, however, of these latter have been at work during the period under review.
Drawing Office-The staff of the drawing office comprises the Plan Examiner,
one European assistant draughtsman, and three Indian assistants.
Mr. Rand Overy, late Plan Examiner, resigned his appointment on the 18th of June, 1906. He has since been replaced by Mr. C. Panting, appointed on September 14th.
An Indian draughtsman imported from India had to be discharged and returned, owing to his unsuitability for the post. The vacancy has since been temporarily filled by Mr. Bessler, locally engaged.
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Clerical and Accounts.-This part of the cadastral branch is under Mr. Bunt. ing, Chief Clerk, with Mr. F. Clarke as assistant, and two Goanese temporarily engaged.
Land Surveys and Cadastral Maps.-The aggregate area of land surveyed for the purposes of land conveyances during the year amounts to 870,267 acres, and a total of 316 applications for various areas of land forwarded by the-Land Depart- ment for survey have been dealt with. This shows a satisfactory increase of 124,734 acres over the record of the previous year.
The following statements are attached, showing in detail the work done, and that of the previous years:—
I. Statement of lands surveyed and plans passed during the financial year
1906-7.
II. Statement of surveys effected for the conveyancing of property, financial
years 1904-5 to 1906-7.
Cadastral Sheet Maps.-In addition to the above surveys, cadastral sheet maps of Nairobi and Mombasa to a scale of 1/2,500 have been commenced.
In the former town the surveys are well advanced, and fifteen sheets will shortly
be ready for publication and issue. The majority of the sheets are completed, but await the draughtsman's work and tracing.
At Mombasa three sheets have been completed, and it is hoped that a further five sheets will be ready within the next six months.
At the beginning of February last, cadastral surveys, combined with the laying out of 20 farms averaging 5,000 acres in area, were commenced in Sotik. Similar work has also been commenced, and is in progress, in the Malindi District, on the coast. The areas of land granted to individual settlers there, and requiring survey, are, however, only 2,000 acres each. The effecting of these was being somewhat delayed owing to native claims to undefined lands, but since it has now been decided not to attempt at present to define and settle such claims, the difficulty has been removed.
In the drawing office considerable arrears exist, owing to under-staffing. Copies of plans and maps have now to be supplied to all and sundry, and this is naturally at the expense of compiling, charting, cadastral maps, and conveyance plans, &c. A request for the sanction to payment of overtime (for temporarily employed hands only) has been submitted to His Excellency, and is now under consideration. It is hoped that, if granted, the work can be brought more up to date.
Offices. Considerable improvements, designed by the Deputy Director, Cadastral branch, have been effected in the temporary headquarters offices at Nairobi. These will provide increased facilities both for the carrying on of the work and the admis- sion of the public to a public map office for the purpose of inspecting and examining plans and land charts. The work in the drawing office should not, therefore, be disturbed, as has been unavoidable in the past, there having been no other place available for the inspection of general plans and maps.
A permanent branch Survey and Land Office at Mombasa has also been com- pleted. This will afford an improvement in conditions.
General. The general health of the staff has been fair. Certain improvements in the positions of the officers recommended in my report of the 30th July, 1905. have been effected, and they have now been granted their proper standing.
I recommend that in future years the calendar year, and not the financial year, should be adopted, so that the annual report may be reaching England at about the same time that the Secretary of State is considering the annual estimates in London.
G. E. SMITH, Major, Royal Engineers,
Director of Surveys.
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P