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and to respect the wishes of the relatives so far as it possibly can. In the conduct of correspondence reference to the mental deficiency is eliminated as far as possible. From the foregoing it will be seen that the object of the existing legislation has been to ensure by every possible means that the administration of the estates of mental patients shall be carried out in the most advantageous manner, and that the interests of these unfortunate persons will be given the best possible attention. AGED AND INFIRM PERSONS' . ESTATES. 59. The Aged and Infirm Persons Protection Act was passed in 1912 for the protection and administration of the estates of persons who, though not mental patients, are, by reason of age, disease, illness, physical or mental infirmity, or by over-indulgence in alcoholic liquors, narcotics, or drugs, considered incapable of managing their own affairs. This Act is another example of progressive legislation which has been passed in this Dominion for the care of the estates of those who are not able to protect their own. interests. Indeed, its provisions are almost unique, and are particularly taken advantage of in cases of persons suffering from senile decay. They are, however, also beneficial in cases where persons are addicted to drink and drugs, in which cases they closely resemble those made in France for the protection of the estates of prodigals. The Act provides that the Court may appoint any person, including the Public Trustee, to be the manager of the estate of any such person, and the Public Trustee is frequently appointed. The powers conferred by section 10 of the Act are limited, and at times unduly hamper the administration of these estates. There is a marked similarity between their administration and that of mental patients' estates, and it is considered, therefore, that the powers conferred on the Public Trustee in respect to the Aged and Infirm Persons Protection Act should be on the lines of those in the Mental Defectives Act, which have been found to be satisfactory. In cases where a private manager is appointed it is laid down in the Act that a verified statement of account of the administration of the estate is to be filed in the Supreme Court, and at the same time a duplicate of such statement delivered to the Public Trustee. The Public Trustee is to have every such statement delivered to him examined and reported upon. Under the existing legislation, however, the Public Trustee has no means of ascertaining those persons who have been appointed managers, and so cannot satisfy himself whether all private managers are complying with the statutory requirements or not. CONVICTS. 60. The administration of the estates of all European convicts in New Zealand devolves on the Public Trustee. Under section 9of the Convicts' Forfeitures Act, 1871, which is now included in section 55 of the Prisons Act, 1908, the Governor was empowered to appoint an administrator for each convict's estate. Accordingly, by writing under his hand dated the 14th April, 1906 (published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 19th April, 1906), the Governor, in virtue of the powers conferred upon him, appointed the Public Trustee administrator of the property of all convicts. Seeing, however, that a Native Trustee was appointed under the Native Trustee Act, 1920, it was deemed desirable and-expedient that the appointment of the Public Trustee should be limited to the estates of convicts other than Natives ; hence in terms of section 55 of the Prisons Act His Excellency the Governor-General revoked the previous appointment of the Public Trustee, and in lieu thereof appointed the Public Trustee to be administrator of the estates of all convicts other than Natives within the meaning of the Native Land Act, 1909. The warrant is dated the 30th November, 1921, and was published in the New Zealard Gazette of the Bth December, 1921. From the nature of the circumstances which render the control of these estates necessary it is only to be expected that they are often involved, and their administration difficult and unsatisfactory. Nevertheless the Office strives to have them administered to the best advantage and to see that the interests of convicts are protected as far as possible.