XXxU Appendix. 
terrace slopes at each end of the line, and worked out the result. 
In a large Minor Triangulation I have now in course of execution for 
the Provincial Government on ninety-four triangles already observed, the 
average error in closing each triangle on the sum of its three angles is only 
eight and seven-tenths seconds, or a little under three seconds to each angle. 
This shows an improvement on the average of one second to each triangle 
upon the Lake triangulation, which may be partly attributed to the use of a 
six-inch instrument over part of the work. 
The work of many other surveyors who have taken part in the Minor 
Triangulation survey of this Province is, I believe, of an equally reliable, 
and possibly even more correct character than that of the sample I have 
referred to, but the time at my disposal has not enabled me to examine and 
refer specifically to it. I have noticed particularly that the angular work 
of Mr. William Arthur and Mr. C. W. Adams, which I have frequently had 
to refer to, is exceptionally good. 
Work of this character, I think it may be agreed, is sufficiently good for 
all practical purposes, and nearly the whole Otago Minor Triangulation, 
extending over 4,200,000 acres is executed within a fair limit of error, a 
large portion of it being exceptionally good. 
All the Minor Triangulation being based upon the true meridian of 
the initial station of each meridional circuit (of survey districts) is con- 
sistent, and refers to one standard of direction within the entire circuit, the 
whole Province being divided for this purpose into six circuits. For detail 
concerning meridional circuits, see Major Palmer’s report, page 19. 
As soon, therefore, as a standard triangulation is initiated, whether now 
or twenty years hence, the whole of the work executed in the Otago system 
is ready for absorption by it, and in the meantime furnishes a complete 
means, and that available for immediate use, for checking and controlling 
the detail survey. 
The only improvements I would suggest in the practical working of the 
system of triangulation now in use in this Province are— 
1st, That the measurement of bases should either be entrusted to one 
officer only, who may have displayed a special aptitude for the 
work, or at least that such officer should invariably be present and 
responsible for the result, 
2nd, That the distances between the various bases should in future 
be increased. (This has, however, in several recent instances 
been done.) 
8rd, That the limit of error permitted in the observation of azimuth 
angles should be considerably curtailed, and that the errors of 
observation should be eliminated from the triangles. 
