THE TRAINING OF AFRICAN SURVEYORS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Whenever the Government wants to receive new students to be trained as surveyors for the Government Service it is usual for the public to be informed by means of a Gazette Notice outlining the conditions of entry into the Survey School which is attached to the Land and Survey Department. Nowadays students are admitted through the Government Higher College at Yaba by means of the Entrance Examination of that college. It is one of the conditions that before a candidate applies to take this Entrance Examination he must have passed his Cambridge School Certificate Examination, the Matriculation Examination of any British University, or its local equivalent, and must possess also a certificate of character.     

Production of Photomaps

Abstract

This paper comprises a short review of the methods followed and the results which have been obtained in Delft at the Topographic Service of the Netherlands and at the International Training Centre for Aerial Survey and Earth Sciences. After an introduction describing the principle of orthophotograph production, applications in the Netherlands, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Mauritius are discussed.     

A FIFTY-YEARS RETROSPECT

Abstract

About this time an excellent Instructor in Surveying was appointed to the School of Military Engineering in the person of Major A. C. MacDonnell. He had served in India,—though not on the Survey of India,—and, being well acquainted with the excellent Indian frontier survey methods, resolved to introduce them into the course at Chatham. So he started using the system of computing latitudes and longitudes from trigonometrical data by Puissant's formulæ, in the form used by the Survey of India. But he had reckoned without his host, the higher authorities. His dreadful deed became known, and the matter was referred to three eminent officers for their opinion. The three officers were Sir Charles Wilson, Director of Military Education, Sir John Ardagh, Director of Military Intelligence, and Sir John Farquharson, Director-General of the Ordnance Survey; none of the three had had any personal acquaintance with the method in question, although two of them had directed the Ordnance Survey, and Sir Charles Wilson in the sixties had carried out some very interesting surveys in Palestine and Sinai. Well, these three distinguished officers solemnly condemned the Indian method as being unsuitable for use at Chatham, and MacDonnell had to revert to more primitive ways, which later on would have made impossible the conduct of a properly managed boundary commission or such surveys as that of the Orange Free State, Uganda, or Northern Sinai, or much of the technical work on the Western Front during the War. And that was that.     

THREE YEARS AND MORE OF THE RISING SUN or A COLONIAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT UNDER A NEW MASTER

Abstract

The late war has been responsible for many unusual situations—not the least of which was that of certain British Colonial Surv1ey Offices passing under the control of an Asiatic Invader, and it is thought that the story of one of them—the Survey Department of Malaya—will not be without interest to readers of this Review.     

COMMONWEALTH SURVEY OFFICERS CONFERENCE, 1951

Abstract

As already noted in the last instalment of this report, the whole of Monday, 16th July, was devoted to all-day visits to (i) a surveying ship of the Royal Navy, or (ii) the Royal Observatory at Hurstmonceaux Castle, or (iii) the School of Military Survey at Newbury, Berks, delegates being divided into three groups with one group going on each visit.     

RADAR CONTROLLED AIR SURVEY PHOTOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS IN AFRICA 1946–1952

Abstract

In 1943, the Colonial Research Committee accepted a proposal submitted by the Colonial Survey and Geophysical Committee to the effect that a Central Colonial Survey Organization should be established to undertake geodetic surveys and topographical mapping, publish the work completed, hold the required equipment and maintain the necessary records. In order that such an organization, if approved, could commence to operate as soon as possible after the end of war, a detailed scheme for same was called for by the Colonial Research Committee.     

AIR SURVEY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Early in 1946 a Central Survey organisation was set up with headquarters in London to undertake, in conjunction with the R.A:F., the air survey mapping of large areas of the Colonial Empire, in connection with Colonial Development programmes.     

WORK OF THE CADASTRAL SURVEY AND LAND RECORDS OFFICE, 1932–45

Abstract

On the occasion of the Empire Survey Conference in 1931 we had the privilege of arranging at the Science Museum an Exhibition of Cadastral Maps and Land Records which had been somewhat hurriedly collected from the United Kingdom, the Dominions, India, eleven Colonies and Protectorates, three Mandated Territories and six foreign countries. As there is some vagueness in the application in English of the French word cadastre, it may be advisable before proceeding to say that while in Europe this word, with its German and Italian equivalents, originally applied to a record of landed property (biens fonds) compiled for fiscal purposes and is commonly still so defined in standard dictionaries, we have throughout used it in the wider sense it has gradually been assuming generally of any analogous record concerned with subdivisions of land occasioned by human use, whether the purpose to be primarily served is fiscal, juridical, economic or otherwise. Cadastral survey is the process by which the parcels of land dealt with are defined, and can be located again at need. The noun, which is rarely mentioned in English, was from the earliest days applied to the whole conspectus of the record: registers, maps, supporting documents, etc. We use the term land record loosely, and somewhat unsatisfactorily, in this comprehensive sense because the more convenient and exact one-cadastral record-has not so far found a place in British practice with its associates: cadastral maps and cadastral survey.     

TRIGONOMETRIC HEIGHTS AND REFRACTION

Abstract

In the past there has been considerable discussion on the above subject in this Review. There is a bibliography at the end of this article in which the full titles of previous articles are given. For brevity, reference to them in the following text is made by number only. Recently, Gulatee summarized present knowledge and asked how other Survey Departments dealt with this matter. Consequently, it was considered that it would be helpful to set out in detail the procedure adopted by the Directorate of Colonial Surveys for obtaining trigonometric heights, with particular reference to primary and seoondary chains and nets.     

THE STATE OF THE SURVEYS OF BRITISH AFRICA IN 1905-06

Abstract

Whilst turning over some old papers the other day I came across a copy of the first Annual Report of the Colonial Survey Committee, and the recent, much regretted death of Sir Herbert Read reminded me of his services in the development of the surveys and explorations of British possessions in Africa, especially his suggestion, which was approved by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, of the formation of the Colonial Survey Committee, an Advisory Committee which was set up in August, 1905. This Committee advised the Secretary of State “in matters affecting the survey and exploration of British Colonies and Protectorates, more especially those in Tropical Africa”.     

THE CADASTRAL MAP

Abstract

In the Empire Survey Review for April 1934 (No. 12, pp. 382–4), the Editor has raised the question of the function of the cadastral map. As he remarks, the question is not simple, but it is easier to say what the function of the map is than to decide of what the map should consist in order that it may fulfil its function. Broadly speaking we may state that the function of the map is to record the boundaries of landed property in such a manner as not only to afford a pictorial representation but also to supply data for the identification of these boundaries on the ground when occasion requires. Apart from this the map should show the areas of properties, as this information may be required for taxation purposes.     

TRIGONOMETRICAL HEIGHTS AND THE COEFFICIENT OF TERRESTRIAL REFRACTION

Abstract

Mr. A. J. Morley has contributed a series of articles in the Review (E.S.R., iv, 23, 16; iv, 25, 136 and vi, 40, 76) on the adjustment of trigonometrical levels and the evaluation of the coefficient of terrestrial refraction with a view to ascertaining how other Colonies and Dominions deal with these problems. This object is very commendable as several problems concerning both the observational and theoretical sides arise in height determinations, regarding which there is not much guidance in the usual treatises on the subject.     

THE YEAR 1933 IN CEYLON

Abstract

IN the absence on leave of the Surveyor General, a full Report for the Colonial Survey Committee was prepared by Mr. R. W. E. Ruddock, the Deputy Surveyor General. The Department in Ceylon covers so many activities that it would be impossible to mention here more than a few.     

PAPER CONTROL AND THE E.S.R.

Abstract

Readers will notice that the weight of the paper used in this issue of the Review has been substantially reduced when compared with the weight of that used in previous issues. The reason for this is the necessity for further economy in the use of paper. A reduction in the number of pages from sixty-four to forty-eight was made in the January and April numbers, but even these savings are not sufficient in themselves and commencing with the October issue the number of pages will have to be reduced still further from forty-eight to forty. However, by reducing the sizes of the margins, so as to give an increase in the actual printing area, it will be possible to include more printed matter on each page than appears at present. In addition, it is proposed no longer to print the whole of the Colonial Office List of Recent Appointments and Promotions in the Colonial Service, but only to include those parts of it that are of immediate interest to surveyors. As a result of these measures, it is estimated that the total amount of matter to appear in the forty pages will be almost the same as that now included in forty-eight.     

THE YEARS 1935–6 AND 1936–7 IN THE GOLD COAST

Abstract

THE Gold Coast can now be said to have recovered from the slump which caused such disastrous consequences in 1931–2 and resulted in a heavy reduction in the establishment of the Survey Department. So far there has been no increase in staff, but more badly needed money for buying stores and increasing the labour staff has been available, and authority has now been given for an increase of 12 in the establishment of African Surveyors; this will result in the re-opening of the Survey School in 1937.     

TRIANGULATION IN TANGANYIKA TERRITORY

Abstract

This is a résumé of the triangulation work completed within the Mandated Territory of Tanganyika, formerly German East Africa. The period covered includes the German Occupation down to 1915 and also the Colonial Office Administration from 1919 to the present day.     

SURVEYING TECHNIQUES FOR NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Several articles which deal with instruction in surveying at the university have appeared recently in the E.S.R., notably ones by P. N. Ray (xii, 89, 104–110), A. Stephenson (xii, 91, 217–222)and K. R. Peattie (xii, 94, 376–379). Particular attention is given in them to courses for engineering students. It may be of interest to readers of this Journal to hear of a survey course for geography students. Although the pattern varies at different universities, it is common to find instruction, for all geography students, in simple surveying, with practice in chain and compass surveys and the use of the plane table, while Honours students may select surveying at a late stage in the course as one of the branches of the subject in which they are to specialize. Below are set out details of a course given at University College, Ibadan, Nigeria.     

RADAR CONTROLLED AIR SURVEY PHOTOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS IN AFRICA 1946–1952

Abstract

(a) Deployment of personnel and equipment. The areas to be photographed and the specifications of photography are laid down by the Direotorate of Colonial Surveys.     

WITH THE FIELD SURVEY UNITS IN FRANCE

Abstract

Colonel MacLeod has already given in this Review (vol. i, 151–6, 207–14, 253–9) an excellent general account of the activities of the Field Survey Units in the Great War, but perhaps the details of some of the problems that presented themselves and the personal experiences of a Field Survey Officer may still be of some interest.     

SOUTHERN RHODESIAN MILITARY SURVEYORS IN THE WORLD WAR, 1939–1945

Abstract

The part played by Southern Rhodesian Military Surveyors in The World War, 1939–1945, would have been comparatively simple to chronicle had the “Home” and “Away” Southern Rhodesia Survey Units formed early in the War continued as separate entities until the end of hostilities. As the narrative will show, however, in order to make the best use of the personnel available they were grouped together with surveyors from other territories into composite units and, in addition, some were employed on purely General Staff duties. Accordingly the narrative is divided into chapters covering areas–cum–periods.