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that it became vital to the interests of the Office that it should bo, housed in ,1 building of its own. As a result of negotiations and inquiries extending over nearly twelve months the Department acquired, at a cost of £5,000, a leasehold property in Princes Street, at that time occupied by Messrs. Mondy and Stephens. This property is a Presbyterian Church Board lease, perpetually renewable, and the building thereon, which was erected at an original cost of about £6,200, is solidly constructed of Port Chalmers and Oamaru stone. Extensive internal alterations were carried out after possession had been acquired in 1915, and the business of the Department has been conducted therein since that year. Greymouth. —For many years the work of the Public Trust Office in Greymouth was conducted from a very old building at one time used by the Star Newspaper Company, but as these, premises were so small and utterly unsuitable, both from the point of view of the staff and clients of the Office, an endeavour was made in 1910 to acquire a site in a more central locality with the object of erecting a, building more in keeping with the requirements of the Office. As a result of negotiations a lease was acquired of a portion of the Government reserve immediately adjoining the. Post-office, with a frontage of 33 ft. to Tainui Street, and a contract was entered into with Mr. A. Gundy, a local builder, for the erection of premises designed by the Government Architect. The contract price was £1,449 65., and the date of completion 6th September, 1912, since which date the business of the Office has been carried on from these premises. Wanganui. —The business of the Office in Wanganui was for many years conducted from offices held on short lease situated in Victoria Avenue, and in view of the expansion of the Department's activities a site was purchased in 1912 on the corner of Market Square and Campbell Place. The site is an excellent one, in close proximity to the Supreme Court. Mr. T. H. Battle, architect, of Wanganui, was entrusted, with the designing of the building, which is of two stories, and was constructed in reinforced, concrete by Mr. John Jones, the contract price being £3,425 9s. 9d. The premises were officially opened on the 7th April, 1914, when a large-number of prominent citizens and representatives of local authorities were present. The. Hon. A. L. Herdman, Minister in Charge of the Office, outlined the progress of the Department in the district. Hawera.- Up to 1911 the business in the Hawera district was conducted by an Agent, but in view of the volume of the work it became necessary to establish a branch in charge of a District Manager. Difficulty was experienced in procuring convenient office accommodation, and the Government authorized, in 1911 the purchase of a site at the corner of Caledonia and High Streets, on which was erected an Office building designed by Messrs. Hoggard and Prouse. The work was carried out in 1912 by Messrs. Campbell and Burke, the contract price being £1,700. Following on the conversion of the office in 1919 to the status of a Local Deputy Trustee office, it was necessary, in Consequence of the increase in staff, to provide additional accommodation, and the building was altered at a cost of £1,919, the work being carried out by Mr. A. B. Burrell, contractor, of Hawera. New Plymouth.- For seventeen years the office, of the Public Trustee in New Plymouth was situated in the Government Buildings. In 1920 it became necessary for the Department to vacate the premises, and in view of the difficulty in securing accommodation the Government authorized the purchase of a site at the intersection of King and Queen Streets, and the tender of Messrs. Eobert and Son was accepted for the erection of a building suitable for the requirements of the staff, in accordance with plans drawn by Mr. T. H. Bates, architect, of New Plymouth. The offices are of reinforced concrete, and finished off in white cement. The structure is arranged on thoroughly modern lines, and contains a safe deposit for public use, together with a separate office for dealing with Native affairs. ¥ aimer ai on North- In 1917, preparatory to abolishing the office of Agent and establishing a permanent office in Palmerston North, a site was acquired adjoining the Courthouse, at a cost of £1,275. The office when first established occupied a suite of rooms on the first floor of the Bank of New Zealand Building in the Square. The business of the Department, however, grew rapidly, and this accommodation proved totally inadequate, with the result that in 1920 the tender of Mr. F. Ncedham, of £6,754, was accepted for the erection of an up-to-date building on the site previously acquired. The design was prepared by Mr. E. V. West, architect, of Palmerston North, and the work was carried out under his supervision. The office erected is a modern building of brick construction, and presents a handsome appearance. The work was completed in December, 1921, and the Department commenced operations in the new building at the beginning of January, 1922. Napier. —The business of the Department in Napier was conducted originally from the, Government Buildings, but owing to the growth, of the Office activities it was necessary to acquire additional accommodation, and a lease, was obtained of premises in Tennyson Street. It was, however, apparent that the business of the Office could not for long be carried on successfully in this location, and towards the end of 1918 a site was acquired at the, corner of Tennyson and Bolton Streets. Competitive, designs were invited, and Mr. G. A. Troup, of Wellington, acted as assessor, awarding the first prize to Messrs. Hyland and Phillips, of Hastings. The main features of the conditions were that the building should be of two stories, so designed and with sufficient strength to permit of two additional stories being built at some future time ; the walls to be, of brick, and the building to be fireproof. On tenders being invited, that of Messrs. Hamilton and Whillans, of Napier, of £14,693, was accepted. The building, which is an imposing one, has but recently been completed, and the business of the Office transferred thereto. The building has been designed in accordance with the modern ideas of office supervision and control, and must favourably impress all who see it.