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A-Yes, there is a great deal of architectural work in the Department, and I certainly think it is advisable to have a couple of men who are specially trained in ar- chitectural work.
Q-It has also been suggested by one of the Overseers that the title "Overseer was objectionable and should be changed. Do you think that is so ?
A-No, I do not think so.
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Q-Then with regard to the Land Surveyor's duties, Mr. DANBY, in his evidence, suggested that there should be a distinct department under a thoroughly qualified Land Surveyor. Are you in favour of having a separate and distinct department?
A--No, I am not in favour of that.
Q-What does the staff consist of at present?
A--A chief Land Surveyor, Assistant Land Surveyor and a Land Bailiff.
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Q-Do you consider that staff is sufficient?
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A-Yes; an additional Land Bailiff would be a desirable addition, but I don't think it is absolutely necessary.
Q-Well, from the evidence given before us by the Land Bailiff, it did not strike the Commission that he was overworked. That was the impression we derived from his evidence?
A-Of course his work has been disorganised for the last two years or more, but I do not lay any stress on having an additional Land Bailiff.
Q-We have had it in evidence that there have been great delays in deciding questions affecting land, especially recently. What have these delays been due to ?
A-Principally pressure of work on myself. I have had no time to attend to them. Q-But with this staff would it not be possible for the Land Surveyor, say, to put things before you so that there should not be any delay ?
A-Yes, I believe that would be so- that the staff I have mentioned would over- come the difficulty with the Assistant Director of Public Works to relieve me of much that I have to do at present.
Q-So that these delays, which you acknowledge have taken place, would be avoided?
A-Yes, I think so.
By Mr. Shewan.-Mr. ORANGE stated in his evidence that :-
"Q.-With regard to the application for sales of land, you say there has "been very long delay ?
A-Yes, I specially put some dates down.
'Q-Would you kindly furnish us with them?
"A-I have here an application, which first of all came from your (the “Colonial Secretary's) office. After what I might call the consent for nego- "tiations was given, I received a letter in connection with the matter from the Public Works Department on 6th November last, and I answered on "the 12th and 13th November. I have got no reply yet. Then another "application for land was made on the 22nd November; to that I have got no answer. Another application was made on the 13th December; to that I have got no answer. Another application was made on December 18th, “and to that I have got no answer. I have got no answer to any of them."
What is the reason of that?
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