106 Transactions. —Miscellaneous, 
What, then, is to rule it? There are two systems which may effect this 
purpose, viz.—major triangulation or meridional circuit survey ; and here 
again comes a stage of operations in which judgment must be exercised. It 
is a stage in which many circumstances must be considered, but the prin- 
cipal consist—I1st, in the natural and very proper professional bias of the 
surveyor to aim at the refinements of observation ;—this involves time and 
cost; and, 2nd, in the necessities of the settler to get possession of his land 
purchase, so that he may quickly build a house for his family. These two 
tendencies are evidently not in harmony, but quite the contrary ; so, to 
meet the wants of the settler a line of concession must here again be 
devised by the surveyor which does not involve practical error. 
As there can be no question as to the necessity of placing the immigrant 
in his home as quickly as possible, the only considerations, then, that we may 
here discuss are the relative accuracy, cost, and despatch of the two systems 
of standard surveys above named. On the subject of accuracy there is 
considerable room for differences of opinion, which I will notice as shortly 
as possible. Instances of the error attached to major triangulation, 
executed with 8 and 10-inch theodolites in New Zealand, are given at 12 
inches, * 61 to 144 inches, * while errors attached to minor triangulation, 
executed with 5-inch theodolites, have been found to vary from half a link 
to six links per mile; but the average error, by crucial test, has been proved 
to be not exceeding two links per mile. + Again we have a notable example 
in Mr. Connell’s minor triangulation of the Lake District, in Middle Island, 
carried over a large expanse of mountainous country, of work closing within 
an error of 4l inches per mile. | Thus, under somewhat incongruous 
testimony, we may fairly conclude that major triangulation may be admitted 
to have an error of one link to the mile attached to it, while minor triangu- 
lation has two links. Now, the object of stating this opinion is to enable us 
to compare the relative accuracy of major triangulation and meridional 
circuit, as the latter for its distances is dependent on minor triangulation, 
though its bearings are taken by the 8 and 10-inch theodolites used in 
major triangulation. Thus the comparison brings out this main fact, that, 
in bearings, the accuracy of the two systems isequal; but, in distances, one 
has the advantage in accuracy of less than one link per mile. Does this 
invalidate the meridional circuit system in the purposes of Colonial survey. 
Isay, No. It is amply accurate for checking actual or section survey; so 
where the interest and comfort of the immigrant settlers require despatch 
it may be freely had recourse to by the surveyor in perfect confidence that it 
* Palmer—l. c. p. 5 and 9. 
t Thomson.—l. e. p. 15. 
} “ Trans, N.Z, Inst.,” Vol, VILI,.—Appendix, p. 31. 
