NOTES ON THE GEODETIC SURVEY OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

Triangulation.—Apart from Simms' Geodetic Chain, Gordon's Chain, the Copper Queen Limb, and a section of the Victoria and Umtali Series, all the primary triangulation shown on the accompanying map has been executed since 1933. The work of Simms and Gordon has been remodelled, however, being greatly strengthened, and these chains are now called Simms' and Gordon's Series. For an explanation and plan of the above Series, see “A Note on the Trigonometrical Survey of S. Rhodesia”, in the Empire Survey Review, no. 27, vol. iv.     

A NOTE ON THE TRIGONOMETRICAL SURVEY OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Abstract

After the completion of Simms's Geodetic Chain in 1901 and the publication of the results in 1905—Volume iii of the Geodetic Survey of South Africa—nothing further of a geodetic nature was done until 1928 when a short chain was run westwards from Simms's chain, at about latitude 17° 10′, to fix the Copper Queen mining area. The Eastern Circuit was commenced shortly after this; it runs from Salisbury eastwards to the Portuguese Boundary, southwards through Umtali to about latitude 20° and then westwards, joining Simms's chain again to the east of Bulawayo. Another chain running north from Simms's work has been commenced near Bulawayo. The several series are exhibited on the outline map attached.     

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.     

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.     

THE ORDNANCE SURVEY AND THE FINAL REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE OF 1935

Abstract

The conclusions of this Committee have aroused small interest so far, because war was upon us almost as soon as the publication (1938). They may, however, greatly affect our surveys and maps of the future, and it is time to examine them. First of all, however, it is desirable to see the background against which the Committee's recommendations appear. For that reason the following chronological summary is given. It is divided into three periods, those of Growth, of Hesitation and of War, and it is given to supplement the chronology of the Final Report in matters which are discussed therein.     

DETERMINATION OF TAPE TEMPERATURES ON THE MEASUREMENT OF THE WANKIE AND SABI GEODETIC BASES,SOUTHERN RHODESIA (1953)

Abstract

The Wankie Geodetic Base was measured in May 1953 and the re-measurement of the Sabi Geodetic Base was also completed during the month following. For these measurements the standard “Macca” equipment was used, the gear being lent to the Southern Rhodesia Government by the Directorate of Colonial Surveys. As it was anticipated that both measurements would be made under hotter and more sunny conditions than normally prevail in England, the Directorate of Colonial Surveys suggested that the opportunity be taken of carrying out further tests in the determination of temperatures by the “resistance thermometer” as described by Messrs. Clark and Johnson of the National Physical Laboratory in their paper on the “Measurement of Temperature of Geodetic Surveying Tapes. Accordingly, through the good officesof the Director of the National Physical Laboratory, the apparatus comprising the resistance theremometer was made available for use on these two base measurements.     

REPORT ON THE PRIMARY TRIANGULATION ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF THE GULF OF ST LAWRENCE, 1941

Abstract

One of the longest projected loops of triangulation in Canada is the network encircling the Gulf of St Lawrence. This 1200-mile loop involves the triangulation system along the Gaspe coast, across Chaleur Bay, through eastern New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, across Cabot Strait to Newfoundland, northward along the west coast of this island to the Strait of Belle Isle, from the strait of Belle Isle along the north shore of the Gulf of St Lawrence as far as Anticosti Island, and from there southerly to the Gaspe coast.     

FORMULAE FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF SURVEY ERRORS

Abstract

The formulae given in this paper can be used for a station adjustment at a trigonometric station and also for the adjustment of errors in a level survey. As applied to levelling, the problem consists in finding the most probable values of the reduced levels of a number of points where the observed level differences between the points are not consistent with each other. It can be shown that the required values of the reduced levels are those which reduce the sum of the squares of the residual errors to a minimum, where the residual error is defined as the difference between the calculated and observed levels.