“ UNCLE CHARLES. ”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3232, 31 May 1911, Page 2

“ UNCLE CHARLES. ”

TRUSTEE 'OF £53,000,000. AND 800 , CHILDREN. The Public Trustee, Mr. Charles J. Stewart, has issued the third report of his Department. Although only established in 1907, the office is already charged with an immense and rapidly growing volume of business, and Mr. Stewart stands in benevolent and protective relationship to so many people that in official and legal circles lie has come to be familiarly referred to as “Uncle Charles.” The trusts in Mr. Stewart’s charge at present total £15,907,771, and trusts not yet matured will add £37.161,643 bringing the grand total of business at present secured up to £53,069,000. Mr. Stewart is able to claim that the investments of 'trust funds he has made during the fifteen months return an income of over 4 per cent. The Trustee is not limited to what are known as trustee securities. Smaller matters than.the investment of millions come within the range of his avuncular functions, especially in regard to accident compensation cases. He was called upon among other things to find lodgings for a working man, to redeem pawned articles of children’s clothing, to purchase a Christmas dinner for the family of an injured man, to visit hospitals and infirmaries, to arrange! for the education of children, and to visit and inspect schools. He has the interests and welfare of some 800 Children to protect.