47

8.-9

Clinton. —It was decided in February, 1924, to extend operations to Clinton, and the District Manager, Balclutha, personally attends on alternate Thursdays (sale-days). It is anticipated that the public will avail themselves of this opportunity of transacting business. Other Part-time Offices. —The District Manager continues to attend regularly the part-time offices at Kaitangata, Outram, Owaka, and Milton, and there is definite evidence of the fact that the settlers of these districts appreciate the opening of these offices. The District Manager reports that ignorance of the functions of the Public Trust Office still exists, but this is gradually being dispelled as a result of his visits. Palmerslon. Weekly visits are paid by an officer of the Dunedin staff, and are much appreciated by the residents. Agencies. — (a.) Oamaru. —The Agent at Oamaru has represented the Office in this district for the past thirteen years. Considerable business is transacted annually, and at the present time 498 wills of residents of this district are deposited with the Public Trustee on behalf of the Oamaru Office. This alone indicates the measure of confidence reposed in the Office and the possibilites of future business in this district. (b.) Lawrence. —This is an old-established Agency. The standing of the Office in this district is very high. (c.) Tapanui. —During the year good progress has been made, and the public are beginning to understand and appreciate the benefits to be obtained from administration of estates by the Public Trustee. (d.) Alexandra. —The estates administered by the Agent are attended to with commendable promptitude and thoroughness. There are already 132 wills of settlers of this district deposited with the Public Trustee, which is an indication of the confidence reposed in the Office. There are also good prospects for expansion of Office business in this district. (c.) Ranfurly. —This Agency has only recently been opened. The appointment of an Agent has brought the Office activities prominently before the farmers of the surrounding district. (/.) Roxburgh. —This also is a comparatively new Agency. The work of the Agent is giving complete satisfaction. The progress of the Office in this district is assured. (g.) Middlemarch. —The district controlled is not a very extensive one, but there is already tangible evidence that the settlers of the district appreciate the establishment of the Agency, and a foundation is being laid for future business. Training of Agents. —ln all cases the Public Trustee has been fortunate in securing the services of men of business training and of standing in their respective communities. These men are engaged in other business pursuits as well, and, with a view to equipping them thoroughly for work as Agents of the Public Trustee, special arrangements are made whereby they are kept in touch with the workings of the Department. Regular visits of inspection arc made, and at intervals conferences of Agents arc held at Dunedin. \n addition, they are instructed in legal and accountancy questions bearing on their work by means of a specially prepared circular letter issued bi-monthly by myself. With the assistance of these Agents the work in the country districts is progressing most satisfactorily. All have reported cases of public appreciation of the Public Trustee's work in their respective districts, and one significant feature is that they are frequently requested to explain the functions of the Department to the public and to dispel misconceptions which have arisen in the public mind. Staff. —The staff now number thirty-two, an increase of three for the year. The additions to the staff were necessary owing to the increased volume of Office business transacted. Throughout the year the standard of the work has been uniformly high, and although at times the pressure of new business has been heavy, practically no overtime has been necessary. General.- The definite improvement in the prices of farm-products has reflected itself in the general prosperity of the community. Comparatively few farming properties have, however, changed, hands during the year. A. feeling of caution prevails, and prospective buyers have not succumbed to the temptation to purchase farm properties merely because of the exceedingly good prices obtained this season for wool, lamb, &c. On the other hand, it has not been difficult to realize city properties at satisfactory prices. Very little difficulty has been experienced during the year in the collection of rent and interest, although in some special cases of arrears of interest a wise discretion has had to be exercised. Reviewing the year's work, there is reason to be gratified with the progress which the Dunedin Office is making. The public appear to be very satisfied, with the thorough manner in which estates are administered, and do not hesitate to express their appreciation of the work done by the Office. In the past an impression existed that as a Government Department our methods were cumbersome and slow, but the public are realizing that the business is now conducted on strictly commercial lines. Slowly but surely the functions of the Office are becoming more generally known to the public, and as a result greater advantage is being taken of the benefits which the Office has to offer in the direction of safe and efficient administration of estates. 6. GISBORNE. Estates under Administration. —At the 31st March, 1924, there were 192 estates and funds under administration at this branch, of a total value of £389,159. This shows a very satisfactory increase over last year's figures (147 estates, of a value of £296,627). The number of estates was 135, of a total value of £324,846. The average value of each estate was therefore £2,406. This is evidence that the Office is now obtaining administration of larger and more satisfactory estates. In addition to the estates there were forty-nine sinking funds, of a value of £59,945, and eight investment agencies, of a value of £4,368.