H.—22

2

The probates and letters of administration with will annexed numbered 8, whilst the number in the previous year was 7 The money trusts undertaken were 11, as against 7 in the previous period. The letters received and recorded were 3,020, or an increase of 898, or 42 per cent. The outward correspondence has increased to a large extent, being 3,084, as against 1432 in the previous year, or an increase of 1,652, or 115 per cent. It is satisfactory to be able to report that the colonists are availing themselves more generally of the advantages offered under the provisions of the Public Trust Office Acts, whilst the largely-increased business may safely be taken as an indication that the office is growing in public favour, and that a knowledge of its objects is being gradually disseminated amongst the people. I have, &c., R. C. Hamerton, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Public Trustee.

Comparative Statement extracted from the Accounts of the Public Trust Office for the Years 1879-80 and 1880-81.

Authority : Geok&e Dibseuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBl.

Year 1879-80. Year 1880-81. Increase during 1880-81. Cash transactions, — Beceipts Disbursements £ s. d. 41,813 12 3 41,218 13 11 £ s. 68,262 9 73,002 19 d. 2 3 £ 8. d. 26,448 16 11 31,784 5 4 Total transactions, as per balance-sheet 92,318 5 6 173,889 2 4 81,570 16 10 Securities held at close of year,— General Investment Account Special Investment Account .. 70,864 16 2,655 12 6 0 90,864 16 10,074 7 6 5 20,000 0 7,418 15 0 5 Amount paid to Consolidated Fund during year 3,886 13 5 5,493 1 0 1,606 7 7 Interest paid to estates during year 2,449 12 4 2,887 11 9 437 19 5 Balance of profit on Interest Account transferred to Expenses Account ... 1,119 9 3 1,777 7 0 657 17 ;> Interest Account —Total interest received during year 3,569 1 7 4,664 18 9 1,095 17 2 Expenses Account, — Total receipts during year Total expenditure during year 2,139 11 1,608 15 4 5 4,029 1,773 2 5 5 11 1,889 11 164 10 1 0 Net profits made by office during year 530 15 11 2,255 16 6 1,725 0 7 Administrations Orders of administration taken out Probates, &c. Trusts, &c. Letters received Letters outwards Number. 172 38 7 7 2,122 1,432 Number. 184 85 8 11 3,020 3,084 Number. 12 47 1 4 898 1,652