COMPILATION OF THE LAND REGISTER OF ENGLAND AND WALES

Abstract

Skillfully as those charged with the shaping and conduct of the crowded time-table of the Conference of Commonwealth Surveyors in 1947 managed their difficult task, physical inability to squeeze many good gallons’ measure into a pint pot relentlessly closured discussions and allowed no opportunity to collect and appraise the yield in any vat on the spot. We were very sensible of these effects in relation to our own and other papers on Land Registration. Our own paper too—owing to transient circumstances which overlapped the Conference—had to be presented in the stodgy form of a synopsis and—through accidents of travel—only reached some delegates, whose comments were particularly desired, on the eve of its presentation. Nevertheless the generous reception accorded to this and other ‘papers on the subject and the many stimulating points that were raised in their discussion, limited though this was, call’ for further consideration and digestion if the resultant lessons are to be elicited and put to practical use. We have, therefore, sought the approval of the Editor of this Review to pursue this purpose, so far as space permits, in this and later numbers. Our remarks should be read in conjunction with the relevant portions of the Proceedings of the Conference which are in the press but are not expected to be available for some months yet. We have especially in mind the observations of the following speakers: Mr. G. H. Curtis, Chief Land Registrar, H.M. Land Registry, London; Mr. John Dewar, previously Surveyor-General of Malaya; Mr. R. G. Dick, -Surveyor-General of New Zealand; Lt.-Col. Elkington, Divisional Officer, Ordnance Survey Office, London; Mr. F. M. Johnstone, Surveyor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia; Mr. E. A. Malby, Chief Superintendent Mapping Branch, H.～. Land Registry; and Major-General M. N. MacLeod, previously Director- General of the Ordnance Survey.