C — lA

clearly shown what value his undoubted ability has been to the Dominion. The engineering work, however, on the Wanganui River, which was carried out by him in an honorary capacity, is such as will always stand as a lasting monument to his professional skill and indefatigable energy. In this - work he so successfully combated the wild forces of nature and so controlled and utilized the waterfalls and rapids of New Zealand's Rhine as to provide a safe waterway through reaches of un- - surpassing beauty and grandeur. The engineering skill that he displayed here was such as to call forth high commendations from his professional confreres and others. The result is an immense gain to the Dominion annually of thousands of tourists from all quarters of the globe, who are enabled to visit these scenes of loveliness with safety that in earlier days were always fraught with danger. In 1889 Mr. Stewart retired into private life at Aramoho. His energy, however, and public spirit were such that even in his retirement it is said he crowded more work than some men show while still in harness. Notwithstanding his unassuming and retiring nature, all organizations in Wanganui for the advancement of art and science—viz., the astronomical, orchestral, arts and crafts, beautifying societies, as well as the Museum trustees —found in him a ready and financial supporter. To all of these he gave his time and talents ungrudgingly. From all parts of the community where he lived during his retirement, and elsewhere, come the many expressions of profound regret at his death, and which clearly voices the universal respect and honour in which he was so justly held and esteemed. George Mackenzie : News is to hand that Mr. George Mackenzie, one of the oldest and most respected of our authorized surveyors, has joined the great majority. He was born in Kinross-shire, Scotland, in 1839. In the year 1857 he came out to Dunedin, and, studying first under the late Mr. Alex. Garvey, District Surveyor, Otago, and then under Mr. Mountfort, sen., he shortly afterwards qualified as a surveyor and followed that profession. In 1863 he was appointed Assistant Surveyor in the service of the Otago Provincial Government. Later on he was promoted to District Surveyor, and finally retired from the service in 1909. In his time Mr. Mackenzie conducted many very important surveys in Otago. During his long career as a pioneer and settler he had to face the difficulties associated with early settlement and the build-ing-up of a new country. He was a man of the very highest integrity of character, and imbued at the same time with strong religious feelings. During his later years he was closely connected with evangelical and mission work. His death took place at Queenstown on the Ist June, 1913, at the ripe age of seventy-four years; and so passed away one universally esteemed and respected, and who in his every walk of life faithfully fulfilled his part to the last both as a man and a Christian. Captain J. D. R. Hewitt, R.N. : This gentleman, who was another well-known figure in connection with the survey profession, passed away on the 10th July, 1913, at Palmerston North, in which town he had been resident for many years. After leaving the Royal Navy he joined the Provincial Government Survey staff in Wellington as Surveyor and Chief Computer about the year 1873, continuing afterwards in the service of the General Government. His special work was largely on the scientific side, and together with the late Mr. Henry Jackson, F.R.G.S., a former Chief Surveyor of the Wellington District, he took part in scientific and astronomical research work, and was one of the observers of the Transit of Venus in 1882. After retiring from the Service he followed farming pursuits successfully in the Fitzherbert district, where he took up a large area of forest country. In his day he was one of the ablest men from a scientific and mathematical standpoint that the Department had. In addition to this his sterling uprightness of character always commanded respect, and, whether in his capacity as a Royal Naval officer or Dominion surveyor and scientific computer, he served his country faithfully and well. As churchman and settler he also deservedly received the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens, a large number of whom will regret the loss occasioned by his death. Conclusion. I have personally inspected and reported on all the district and sub offices in the Dominion with the exception of the Wellington and Blenheim offices and sub-offices of Hamilton and Wanganui. Survey matters were discussed with the officers in charge at various centres, and when opportunity offered I visited the staff surveyors in their respective camps. I also inspected Crown and land-for-settlement blocks in advance of their being offered for selection. My visit in dealing with the above extended from the Bay of Islands in the North to Foveaux Strait in the South, and included the east and west coast districts of both Islands. I have to thank the survey officers of the Department —senior and junior alike —in both the head and district offices of the Dominion for their zealous, ready, and willing co-operation with me throughout the year that has closed. James Mackenzie, 2—C. la. Surveyor-General,

9