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was appointed, is set forth in the fullest manner in the report by Captain G. E. Smith, R.E., dated July 30th, 1905.

It is there clearly shown that the survey had been allowed to fall into grave arrear with the result that the arrangements for transferring land to new settlers were burdened with long delays in the delivery of the deeds, causing serious financial loss both to the Government and to the landowner, and hence, not unnaturally, much grumbling and dissatisfaction.

To say that land settlement is the paramount question in this country is a statement partaking of the nature of a truism, but as it must be kept steadily in mind throughout all discussion of the survey question, it seems well to emphasize it at the outset.

The best, and probably the only, way for this country to become permanently prosperous is by the building up of a profitable agriculture, and hence no effort should be spared to encourage the occupation of new land by white settlers. Should the idea get abroad that the Government does not treat the farmer well, and that the sale or lease of crown lands is accompanied by irksome delays, costly both in time and capital to the intending holder, the opening up of the country may receive a serious check.

Money spent upon survey work of this nature must be regarded largely as capital expenditure, laid out for the development of a great national estate, and as such is quite trifling in amount compared with the sums spent on the railway, public works, and general administration.

Every white man holding land and cultivating it at a profit is both a valuable asset in the present and a pledge of prosperity for the future. Without men of this class the country must eventually degrade into a mere "plantation" colony, as such inferior in productiveness to others, and quite unable to compete with the abundant fertility of the true tropics.

Primarily, therefore, the object of carrying out a precise survey of the land is to facilitate the sale, lease, and transfer of estates, farms, and building plots. In the second place, we require topographical maps for military and administrative purposes, and for the hundred other uses for which maps of a country are wanted, too familiar to call for detailed enumeration here.

The fact that the survey of British East Africa was falling behind the require- ments of the country obtained practical recognition in the spring of last year, when the Survey Department was enlarged and reconstituted, with Captain G.” E. Smith, Roval Engineers, as Director of Surveys. This officer took up his duties in July,

1906.

Staff.

The present strength of the Department is as follows:- Superintending Staff:—

Director of Surveys.

1 Clerk.

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Deputy Director of Surveys (Captain, Royal Engineers). Assistant Director of Surveys (Lieutenant, Royal Engineers).

2 Surveyors (non-commissioned officers, Royal Engineers). Native artizans.

Cadastral Branch:-

Deputy Director of Surveys.

Assistant Director of Surveys.

5 Surveyors.

1 Plan examiner.

4 Draughtsmen and tracers.

5 Indian surveyors,

General Organisation.

The Survey Department is one of several placed under the general direction of the Commissioner of Lands. The relations between the Director and the Commis- sioner were clearly laid down in Colonial Office letter, No. 564, of September 6th, 1906, and are maintained with perfect harmony. It would, however, help to ensure a continuance of smooth working were a Land Board formed with the Commissioner of Lands as President, and the Director of Surveys as a member.

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