8.—9

42

WORK OF OFFICE , RANGERS. 94. The four Office Rangers continue to render valuable service. Considerable depression is still experienced, especially in the central districts of the North Island, and much first-hand expert information, has to be furnished to the Public Trustee to enable him to satisfactorily deal with, the numerous farming properties belonging to the estates under administration. Similarly, the Office has hundreds of mortgage securities in these districts, and the utmost vigilance is necessary to ensure that the mortgagors are reasonably complying with the covenants of their mortgages. Lists of all Common Fund mortgages in the third year of their term are therefore sent to the Rangers, who in the course of their itineraries inspect as many of them as possible. All cases in which any adverse circumstance is known, rendering an inspection desirable, are brought specially under the Rangers' notice in order that detailed reports may be received. In several cases the Office has been obliged to take over the securities absolutely, and the opinion and advice of the Rangers have been of material assistance to the Board in deciding upon the best course to pursue. It has also been found that the services of the Rangers can be utilized with advantage to mortgagors and the Office alike in respect of reports and valuations for the renewal of loans, and for check valuations where such are necessary. Increasing use has therefore been made of the Rangers during the year, with very satisfactory results. OFFICE BUILDINGS. 95. It was pointed out in last year's report that the adoption of an extensive building programme had become necessary on account of the retardation of building during the war period, and also through the decentralization policy which has recently been pursued with excellent results. The delegation of the work to the District Offices has had the inevitable result of increasing the staffs at those offices, and the need for increased office accommodation has become acute. The business of the Office is also growing at a very rapid rate, and this has necessitated the provision of additional accommodation. During the year just closed new buildings, planned on the most modern lines of office construction and embodying all requirements for the effective and economical control of staff, have been erected at Blenheim, Timaru, Waipukurau, and Stratford. These buildings have added to the comfort and efficiency of the staff, and the convenience of clients of the Office. Buildings are in course of erection at Christchurch, Hamilton, Dannevirke, and Whangarei. The building in the latter town is designed to accommodate the staffs of all the Government Departments located at Whangarei. CONCLUSION. 96. I have again to express my thanks to the Assistant Public Trustees, the Controlling Officers, and the staff generally for their zeal and devoted service to the Office. The business transacted by the Department is now so far-reaching in its scope and so large in its volume that it is only by constant application on the part of officers entrusted with the work that the administration is carried on so satisfactorily. The reports submitted by District Public Trustees, and which are attached to this report, furnish evidence of the care and attention which are given to the affairs of those who entrust their estates to the Office for administration. The figures appearing in the report are a testimony to the rapidly growing confidence of the public in the Office administration. I have, &c, J. W. Macdonald, The Right Hon. the Minister of Finance. Public Trustee.