THE YEAR 1930 IN NORTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

The year 1930 in Northern Rhodesia has been particularly busy for the Survey Department. This was chiefly due to the mining activity in the northern area and to the rapid development of new townships and the expansion of old, owing to the large influx of traders and business houses. The staff has been augmented; but, although the office accommodation has improved, we still find ourselves somewhat cramped at headquarters, especially when the local field staff returns there during the rains. A general review of the instruments and equipment has been made, resulting in the scrapping of old and obsolete material and its replacement by modern equipment. In this connection it is interesting to note the general adoption of the new Zeiss, Wild and Tavistock theodolites.     

THE YEAR 1933 IN NORTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

The general depression in world trade has affected the country to no small extent during the year in almost all branches of departmental activity. It has been particularly reflected in the Survey Department by a reduction in applications for land from new settlers, and in subdivisional surveys· carried out for private landholders. In all other branches, however, the Department has had more on its hands than its now limited staff could cope with, and there is the danger of work getting behindhand and being put aside for a future occasion whilst new projects are dealt with to supply immediate requirements.     

THE YEAR 1932 IN NORTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

In spite of the world depression, the effects of which are now being severely felt in this Territory, the Departmental activities were almost a record in regard to output. Not only were applications for land in excess of previous years, but the issue of deeds, the surveys of farms and plots, the work on mineral areas, and the preparation and issue of maps, plans, and diagrams were well above previous years.     

THE YEAR 1931 IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The outstanding feature of 1931 was undoubtedly the rapid fall in the revenue of the Colony and Protectorate, which half-way through the year necessitated drastic reductions in Government expenditure, and in the case of the Survey Department led to the termination of the appointments of 15 European surveyors, I lithographer, and 20 members of the African staff. This cut, equivalent to a reduction of 28 per cent. of European and of 13 per cent. of African personnel, had unfortunately to be carried out at the height of the topographical and trigonometrical season and naturally entailed the closing down of some survey operations and the re-posting of officers to other duties to readjust the reduced personnel to more urgent requirements.     

THE TRAINING OF AFRICANS FOR SURVEY IN NORTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

Prior to the year 1931 there was no systematic training of Africans for land survey work in Northern Rhodesia, and those natives then in the employ of the Survey Department as assistants to the European surveyors in the field were no more than “capitaos”. Asurveyor, after his arrival in the colony, usually had to find his own native assistant, or chainman, and any native who appeared to have a commanding manner with his fellows, and who was clean and respectful, was eligible for the position. Preference in some cases was usually given to natives who had completed service in the native regiment or police, for their early training had taught them to obey orders, to conduct themselves well, and to control other natives.     

THE YEAR 1935 IN CEYLON

Abstract

I Was on special short leave in England in June and personally represented Ceylon at the Empire Surveyors' Conference and the Empire Meteorologists' Conference in London, returning to. Ceylon in October. During my absence Mr. R. W. E. Ruddock, Deputy Surveyor-General, acted for me.     

THE YEAR 1937 IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The year 1937 showed no diminution in the demands on the Land and Survey Department from both Government and private sources. Although there was practically no increase in staff over that of the previous two years, the output by nearly every branch showed a considerable increase on that of 1936. In April the number of super-scale posts was increased to three by the creation of the post of Principal Assistant. Nine European and two African officers were recipients of the Coronation Medal.     

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.     

THE YEAR 1933 IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The continued fall during the year of the price of local raw products on the world's markets led to a deficit in the estimated revenue, necessitating further retrenchments throughout the Nigerian Civil Service. The Survey Department's personnel was reduced by 8 Europeans and 24 Africans, thus decreasing since 1930, the first year of retrenchments, the Department's permanent staff by 46 per cent. of its European and 17 per cent. of its African Officers. The establishment at the end of the year comprised 31 European Officers, 49 African Surveyors, 5 African Computers, 35 African Draughtsmen, and 8 Lithographers and Sunprinters.     

THE YEAR 1932 IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The general organization remained the same as during the last few years, but owing to the reduction last year by 32 per cent. of the European and by 8 per cent. of the African-personnel the output of cadastral and topographical work was considerably lower. Against this, however, there have been increased activity and larger output from the drawing and lithographic sections.     

THE YEAR 1934 IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The year has been made noteworthy by the decision of Government to amalgamate the Land and Survey Departments under the direction of the Surveyor-General with the title of Commissioner of Lands and Surveyor-General. As the fusion of the two Departments took place only towards the end of the year, this report covers only survey activities for the year 1934.     

THE YEAR 1936 IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The greatly improved economic situation was reflected in the increased activities of the Land and Survey Department in all its branches. The Registration of Titles Ordinance which came into force on the 1st July and the extension to Nigeria of the Empire Air Mail Service were the two most important events of the year.     

THE YEAR 1935 IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This report covers the period of the first full year since the amalgamation of the Land and Survey Departments under one administration. The general scheme of amalgamation to which reference was made in the report of the Survey Department for 1934 has functioned satisfactorily and calls for no particular comment.     

THE YEAR 1934 IN SARAWAK

Abstract

General.— The year 1934 has seen on the survey side an active continuation of trig. and cadastral surveys and on the land side standardization of procedure and routine. Good progress has been made in both branches. The surplus of revenue over expenditure, noted last year for almost the first time, has been very considerably increased, being of the order of eighty-two thousand dollars.     

THE TRANSVAAL-SOUTHERN RHODESIA GEODETIC CONNEXION

Abstract

In the original geodetic series in Southern Rhodesia—completed by Mr Alexander Simms in 1901—the geographical coordinates of all stations were referred to the point SALISBURYas origin. The coordinates of SALISBURY were fixed by interchange of telegraphic signals with the Royal Observatory at the Cape for longitude, combined with astronomical determinations of time, latitude, and azimuth (see Vol. III, “Geodetic Survey of South Africa”).     

GEODETIC SIGNALS IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

So much has been written in the Empire Survey Review and other publications on the somewhat controversial subject of “Luminous or Opaque Signals in Geodetic and Primary Triangulation” that it may be of interest to give an outline of the types of signals used on such work in Southern Rhodesia, with particular reference to the completion of the Eastern Geodetic Circuit in 1935 and the type of signal that it has been decided to adopt for future work.     

REPORTS. THE YEAR 1934 IN CEYLON

Abstract

The Ceylon Survey Department is gradually returning to its normal activities after the period of depression. The programme of work is again being increased as the demand for survey work grows with returning prosperity in the Colony. The Survey Department Training Classes have been reopened for training new recruits to fill the vacancies in the upper and lower grades which have been left unfilled during the retrenchments. It takes a year, however, to train a subordinate office: and two years to train a probationary Assistant Superintendent, Including one year at Cambridge. Recruiting is consequently rather. a slow process, and it will be some years before the Department is again at full strength, as there are now 27 vacancies in the Field Staff and 34 in the Office Staff to be filled, out of a total of 705.     

THE YEAR 1933 IN THE FEDERATED MALAY STATES AND STRAITS SETTLEMENTS

Abstract

THE programme of retrenchment referred to in last year's report was practically completed, with the result that the gross expenditure has been reduced to a figure well within the limit set by the Retrenchment Committee. Actually, gross expenditure was £128,121 (over 45 per cent.) less than in 1930, the peak year in expenditure.     

THE HYDROGRAPHIC YEAR 1930

Abstract

For some years past the work of the Hydrographic Service of H.M. Navy afloat has been carried out by eight of H.M. Surveying Vessels. These ships, of which four are employed abroad and four in home waters, work at sea for about eight months in the year and are refitted during the remaining four months, usually during the winter or bad-weather season. Whilst the ships are being refitted for further service the officers are employed in drawing the fair charts of the season's work and in preparing Sailing Directions and other work in connection with the Survey.