SURVEYS AND MAPS 3 1 



which provides that the Director shall conduct all geodetic, topo- 

 graphical, level and tide surveys and geophysical operations in the 

 Union. The Survey Board, consisting of the four Surveyors- 

 general and the Director of Trigonometrical Surveys, has advisory 

 functions in matters of general policy, the Secretary for Lands 

 being the executive officer. 



It is sometimes suggested that, as provided in the Survey Act, a 

 Director-general of Surveys should be appointed to take general 

 and executive control of the whole survey organization in the 

 Union. Nevertheless, uniformity of practice and policy is well 

 maintained under the present system. The greatest drawback to 

 progress does not lie in the method of control, but in the system 

 whereby all survey work is undertaken by private practitioners. 

 The topographical survey is an exception to this rule and the 

 appointment of a salaried staff for carrying out trigonometrical 

 survey operations, other than triangulation, is under consideration. 



An excellent framework of geodetic chains was established by 

 Sir David Gill and Sir William Morris, R.E., in the years 1883 to 

 1906. Since 19 1 9 the primary and secondary triangulation has 

 been extended and based upon this geodetic framework over most 

 of the Union. About ^(^20,000 is now being expended annually in 

 completing this triangulation and also a tertiary triangulation over 

 the more valuable and highly developed areas of the country. The 

 principal triangulation is admittedly efficient and provides a per- 

 manent basis for surveys of all kinds, and the cadastral system 

 meets all technical and legal requirements to ensure security of 

 title. 



The topographical survey has not been pursued to a comparable 

 extent: of the topographical maps still in use the majority were 

 made after the South African War by military surveyors under the 

 direction of the War Office. A comprehensive scheme for topo- 

 graphy has now been approved and a start has been made. 



In Southern Rhodesia the reorganization of departments in 1931 

 brought surveys together with meteorology, agriculture, veterinary 

 work, etc., under the Department of Agriculture and Lands. 

 Trigonometric survey has followed the example set by the Union 

 and several of the chains of triangulation are direct continuations 

 of those to the south. Like other parts of Africa, Southern Rhodesia 



