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Dobson Relief Fund— The Public Trustee has agreed to act, without charge for his services, as trustee of the funds which have been raised by public contribution for the relief of those who have suffered through the disastrous explosion which occurred at the Dobson Coal-mine on the 3rd December, 1926. It is understood that the funds will amount to in the vicinity of £2,500, and it is proposed that the Public Trustee shall act in conjunction with an advisory committee comprising the Mayor of Greymouth and three other permanent residents of the district. The transfer of the fund to the Office is at present receiving attention. Thomas George Macarthy Trust. —Probably the best known charitable and educational trust operating in New Zealand arises out of the will of the late Thomas George Macarthy, who died in 1912. This generous-hearted testator by his will, of which the Public Trustee is executor and trustee, directed that one-half of the net income from his estate is to be applied for such charitable and educational purposes or institutions in the Provincial District of Wellington in such manner and in such proportions as a special Board of Trustees named in the will shall decide, the decision of such Board being final. After the termination of certain annuities and life and other interests the whole of the income from the residuary estate will be available for the purposes of the trust. The estate is a very valuable one, the final balance for estate duty purposes being £389,689. By careful and judicious management in the years which have passed since Mr. Macarthy's death the assets have largely increased in value and are now worth probably over £500,000. As the result of the past year's operations the sum of £13,600 was available for distribution amongst charitable and educational institutions. Thus during the fourteen years the trust has been in existence the large sum of £109,027 has been so distributed. The following table shows the sum allocated each year to date : £ £ 1913 .. .. .. 2,530 1921 .. .. .. 6,860 1914 .. .. .. 7,325 1922 .. .. .. 9,015 1915 .. .. ..7,070 1923 .. .. . 9.350 1916 .. .. 6,880 1924 .. .. ..10,125 1917 .. .. .. 5,790 1925 .. .. .. 12,040 1918 .. .. .. 5,112 1926 .. .. .. 13,600 1919 .. .. .. 6,545 1920 .. .. ..6,785 £109,027 These figures will give some indication of the extent and importance of the trust and of the amount of good work which this estimable benefaction is able to accomplish. Kirkpatrick Masonic Institute for Girls.—The late Mr. Samuel Kirkpatrick, who was well known throughout New Zealand for the manufacture of " K " jams and other products, and who died on the 21st May, 1925, made generous provision in his will for the maintenance and benefit of orphan daughters of deceased Freemasons of the English, Irish, Scotch, and New Zealand Constitutions throughout New Zealand. As a result a home has been established in Nelson where orphan daughters of deceased Masons may go to receive every care and attention and a good education. The Public Trustee handed over to the Board of Governors appointed by the Masonic fraternity the valuable property which belonged to the deceased and which is situate in Mount Street, Nelson. The residence, which is set in beautiful surroundings, is used as the home for the children. The income from the residue of the estate is paid to the Board of Governors to provide for the maintenance and management of the home. The Public Trustee is solely responsible for the administration of the estate, but is not in any way concerned with the management of the home. The Board of Governors elected by the Masonic Constitutions receives the income of the estate from the Public Trustee and expends the funds for the general purposes of the institution. The home, which is called the Kirkpatrick Masonic Institute for Girls, was opened on the 4th April, 1926.

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