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given, viz., 547 feet in 71.486 English miles, or 377,448 feet, that is, 1 in 690, it will be allowed that the foundation of operations possesses a degree of accuracy not generally attained in chain measurements on unprepared ground such as that now submitted to survey.

Having explained the basis of the mode of constructing the survey, it will now be necessary to notice the general operations depending on the same. They were shortly as follows:—The country was journeyed over in every direction, positions being fixed by taking angles with the Theodolite to three or more known stations by the system of "converging angles," already mentioned as being so much had recourse to in nautical survey. These observations of angles were taken every two to four miles, as was found requisite, and the positions of the topographical features in their proximity, such as rivers, ridges, bush, &c., were ascertained by cross, transit, and tangent bearings to them, all being taken by the Theodolite. The prismatic compass was depended on only for very minor detail.

AREA.

Having thus briefly described the mode of operations, I will proceed to notice the extent and the areas of the classes of lands in the District submitted to survey. The District is bounded on the South by Foveaux Strait; on the East by the Mataura River; on the North East by the Umbrella and Slate Ranges; on the North West by the Eyre and Takitimo Mountains; and on the West by the Waiau River. These boundaries extend 92 miles North and South, and 60 miles East and West; the estimated area being 3728 square miles.

The above area is divided into the following classes of lands, the details of which will be found in Appendix A:—

Forest Land...................... 570 square miles

Moss and Marsh do............... 108 "

Agricultural do.................. 400 "

Pastoral do....................... 2150 "

Barren do........................ 500 "

................................... 3728 square miles

The 400 square miles of Agricultural Land are principally on the Mataura, Waiopai, and Oreti plains. One-third of the same is at present too wet for cultivation. Of the 2150 square miles of Pastoral Land, one-fourth may require drainage; and everywhere, in both the above classes of Land, there is sufficient fall for this purpose.

Beyond the limits of the surveyed Districts it would be improper to omit the mention of the existence of about 600 square miles of Pastoral country at the heads of the Waiau and Oreti Rivers; also the existence of an extensive undulating country to the North-east of the Eyre Mountains, stretching as far as the Canterbury Province, which being only viewed at a distance, cannot now be positively spoken of.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.

In the District are groups of mountains, undulating downs, and level plains. The groups of mountains are:—

Eyre, attaining to the height of 6084 feet above the sea level; Takitimo, 4998 feet; Hamilton, 4674 feet; Dome, 4505 feet; Longwood, 2602 feet; and Hokanui, 2297 feet. The altitudes of these and other minor eminences will be seen on reference to Appendix B; and as much of them as have been taken by the Acheron’s Survey Officers differ considerably from these, it is necessary to state that I would only ask for such dependence on my results as can be placed on work done by a 4-inch theodolite. Undoubtedly, also, the distances of the objects were generally too great for the attainment of accuracy; but still they will be useful in giving an approximate idea of the altitudes of these features.

The country that may come under the head of "Downs" are the Taringatura and Wairaki Downs; also that country in the vicinity of Twinlaw, Centre Hill, Lintley, and Round Down. The highest eminences among these are Taringatura Hill, 2093 feet; and Woodlaw, 1682 feet.

The Plains are the following:—Waiopai, extending 30 miles in length and breadth; Oreti, 25 miles in length and 20 in breadth; Waiau, 16 miles in length and 10 in breadth; Waimea, 25 miles in length and 8 in breadth. Five rivers 15 miles in length and 6 in breadth.

The principal rivers are the Mataura, Makarewa, Oreti, Aparima, and Waiau. Commencing with the first, the Mataura takes its rise in the Eyre Mountains, and has a course as the crow flies of 95 miles. Its principal head is in Eyre Peak, and the first thirty miles of its course is through a district abounding in narrow valleys and deep gorges, bounded by high snowy mountains, whose sides and spurs are steep and rugged, possessing all the picturesque and bold features of Alpine scenery.