The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]
Lands and Survey Department
Lands and Survey Department.
The Taranaki Lands and Survey Department is domiciled on the first floor of the Government Buildings, in Devon Street, New Plymouth. The district under control extends from the Mokau river in the north, to the mouth of the Putea river in the south. From the sea coast it runs inland to a point on the Wanganui river, a little north of Pipiriki, and at the northern end of the district, inland to the Ongaruhe river. The land district is divided into thirty-seven survey districts, each with its own distinctive name—generally in Maori. Mr. F. Simpson is Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor; Mr. W. H. Skinner, Chief Draughtsman; Mr. H. M. Bannister, Chief Clerk; Mr. C. Cook, Land Transfer Draughtsman; and Mr. F. A. Cullin, Receiver of Land Revenue. There are also three district surveyors—Messrs H. M. Skeet, G. H. Bullard, and W. T. Morpeth, besides six assistant surveyors and six clerks. The members of the Land Board for the district are Messrs F. Simpson (chairman). Hislop, Rattenbury, Connett and McCluggage.
Mr. Francis Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for Taranaki, was born in the year 1846, in Lancaster, England. In 1853, he arrived in Auckland with his parents, and was educated at Wesley College, and at the Church of England Grammar School. During the Waikato war, Mr. Simpson held a commission in the 2nd Waikato Regiment, and saw service. He afterwards entered the service of the Auckland Provincial Government, and was subsequently transferred to that of the General Government. In 1875, he joined the Survey Department at Gisborne, and ultimately became a district surveyor. After serving in that capacity till 1892, he was appointed chief draug htsman at Napier, whence he was transferred to New Plymouth, where he was promoted, in June, 1904, to his present position.