The post of Surveyor General is the second oldest in New South Wales, after the Governor, dating from the appointment of Augustus Alt in 1786. Surveying was vital to the expansion of settlement, the creation of farms and villages and later roads and railways, towns and cities.
This well-illustrated book by professional historian and former RAHS councillor Terry Kass covers far more than the careers of the 27 Surveyors General over the last 200 years. Introductions to each section elucidate topics such as the equipment used by surveyors, land measurement, road building, land title registration and land valuation.
The administrative history of the Lands Department is also covered, including the establishment of the Central Mapping Authority in 1951 and the Geographical Names Board in 1966. These days, satellite imagery and digital surveying systems have revolutionised the work of surveyors but the romance of the early years continues to fascinate.
The book has a useful bibliographical essay and copious colour illustrations, many of maps and plans which lose their full relevance in those black and white photocopies which are routinely issued from the Department of Lands. - Reviewed Anne-Maree Whitaker, Journal of the RAHS June 2008
Contents:
Introduction
Acknowledgements
Map of Places Mentioned in the History
Abbreviations
1786-1867 Background
- Herman Theodore Augustus Alt
- Charles Grimes
- John Joseph William Molesworth Oxley
- Thomas Livingston Mitchell
- George Barney
- Alexander Grant McLean
- Walker Rannie Davidson
1867-1913 Background
- Philip Francis Adams
- Edward Twyman
- Joseph Witter Allworth
- Edward MacFarlame
- Robert McDonald
1913-1940 Background
- Frederick Poate
- John Broughton
- Alfred Henry Chesterman
- Henry Fraser Hall
- Hamilton Bartlett Mathews
1940-1965 Background
- Arthur Max Allen
- Harold George Barrie
- Daniel Stern Mulley
- George Wastley Vincent
- Charles Edward Elphinstone
- Henry Edward Hind Barr
1965-2007 Background
- Leo Noel Fletcher
- John Darby
- Donald Morrison Grant
- Warwick Watkins
Conclusion
Bibliographical Essay
Appendix: Jack Darby Surveyor General: Introducer of Digital Surveying Systems
Index
