Conservation Commission. 75 



Surveys. 



The old lines are often obliterated by the changes due to lapse 

 of time during the century or more since they were originally run. 

 In the meantime in some localities surveys have been made that 

 were not correct. The so-called surveyors did not find the 

 original lines, either on account of the secular change in the 

 needle, local attraction, poor measurement, improper starting 

 point, or even in some instances, a gross case of incompetence or 

 intent on the part of the surveyor. 



A larger appropriation should be available for this work. The 

 location of the boundaries will settle present and future disputes, 

 and make the protection of the State's interest possible. A 

 number of our trespasses are probably due to erroneous or in- 

 distinct location of lines, and in order to prosecute a trespass a 

 survey must be made. It, therefore, seems better to run the line 

 and protect the property than be required to do the work later 

 in order to prepare for litigation. The passage of time tends to 

 obliterate the old marks and monuments, and thereby the expense 

 of the work is increased. The delay not only causes a loss and 

 decrease of efficiency in administration but also defers work which 

 must be done eventually, and if later, at an increased cost, 



TITLES. 



The Conservation Law which was passed at the last session of 

 the Legislature provided that the abstracts of searches of title and 

 certified copies of original deeds be filed in the office of this Com- 

 mission. These papers have heretofore been filed in the office 

 of the State Comptroller. They are not used by the latter but 

 are very important to us in order that we may secure the necessary 

 description and information required to administer the various 

 duties relative to the forest preserve. 



Steps should also be taken to prepare the copy for a revised 

 edition of the " Land List." 



Abstracts. 



A large amount of work must be done searching records in orJer 

 to get a complete description of the numerous tracts of State land, 

 and the necessary data for determining their true location. A 



