8.—9

48

Masterton. —In 1916 the Public Trustee pointed out to the Government that the premises in Masterton, consisting of three upstairs rooms in a large building occupied under a short-dated lease, were proving very inconvenient, and, in view of the steady growth of the Department's business, urged the acquisition of a site at the corner of Perry and Chapel Streets, at a cost of £2,100. This proposal was approved, and the section purchased. The erection of premises was not, however, proceeded with at once, and in the meantime it became necessary to move to a more suitable suite of offices in Messrs. Hallenstein's building in Church Street. It was not long, however, before these offices proved totally inadequate, and in 1921. tenders were called for, and that of Messrs. Jones and Cameron, contractors, Napier, of £10,418, was accepted. The building was designed by Messrs. Watson and Gooder, and its construction is now under way. Inmrcargill.- -The Public Trust Office at Invercargill was located in the A.M.P. Building until 1914, when the Office acquired a site in Don Street, at a cost of £3,050, on which stood an eight-roomed building which was converted into suitable office premises, and the business of the Department conducted therefrom until 1920, when, on plans and specifications prepared by Mr. Eroderick, the tender of Mr. A. J. Ball, of £13,050, was accepted for the erection of the building, and that of. It. G. Speirs, of £586' 10s., for the installation of the hot-water system. During the erection of these premises the office was again temporarily housed in the A.M.I', premises. The building, which was recently completed, is an imposing one, and designed specially to cope with the growing business of the Public Trustee in Southland. Nelson. —Until 1915 the business of the Department in Nelson was conducted from offices situated in the Government Buildings, when, on account of the steady expansion of the activities of the Office, it was found necessary to acquire larger premises. The Government authorized the purchase, at £3,400, of a brick building in Hardy Street, then owned and occupied by Messrs. W. Rout and Sons. The business of the Department has since been conducted from these offices. which occupy a prominent position in the centre of the business area of Nelson.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (3,475 copies), £92 10s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 922.

Price Is.J