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Head Office and. the branch offices who have been associated with this special work, in connection with both the inauguration of the system and the publicity work which has been necessary to make the details of the-scheme known to the farming community. In the early stages there were many applications for addresses explaining the system, to be delivered at meetings of farmers and other interested parties, convened mainly by branches of the Farmers' Union, and the meeting of these requests has imposed a considerable tax upon the time of the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and District Supervisors. It may safely be said that the active interest displayed by all officers concerned and the completeness and efficiency of the office organization have contributed in no small measure to the promptness with which the system has been brought into active workingorder. The wide representation of the Public Trust Office has enabled necessary information upon matters involving local knowledge to be gathered together at a minimum of expense and time, and the completion of many important preliminary matters, such as the appointment of the district boards and the selection of valuers to act on the Board's behalf, was thereby greatly facilitated. As the result of the assumption of these new duties it has been necessary to make a few additions to the staff at the Head Office and the branches. The additional expenditure will, however, be covered by the charge which will be made to the Board for the services of the Office organization. Where any expenditure is incurred exclusively in connection with the Board's business, or an officer is engaged wholly upon that work, the relative charge is made, so far as practicable, direct to the Board's account ; but in respect of all other outgoings and the use of the Office organization it is proposed to make a suitable comprehensive charge annually. In terms of section 76 of the Rural Intermediate Credit Act, 1927, a detailed report regarding the operations of the Board up to the 30th June, 1928, will be presented to Parliament. INSPECTIONS. 100. The volume of business conducted by the Office renders necessary a system of internal check and safeguards which must be carefully observed. In order to ensure that these internal regulations are being strictly conformed to and that the Department's work is being satisfactorily performed, there has been in operation for some years past a scheme of periodical inspections, which has been maintained throughout the year. The inspecting officers act independently and make their reports direct to the Public Trustee. The inspections serve to keep the Head Office in close and constant touch with the work throughout the Dominion, and may be classified as under : — (а) General inspections conducted by the Chief Inspector, the Assistant Chief Inspector, and the District Public Trustees : (б) The review of the administration of estates conducted by Reviewing Inspectors : (c) Inspection of accounting matters and systems and internal audit, controlled by the Chief Auditor. (a) General Inspections. —As is indicated by the classification, the work of the Office generally is dealt with during these inspections. Care is taken that all aspects of the Office work receive consideration, and attention is specially directed towards such matters as staffing, organization, accommodation, and internal arrangements. The work of all officers is investigated, and a study made of their personalities and capacities. Difficult questions arising in the course of the work are discussed with the branch officers, and advice given in matters concerning Office policy. Inspections are made of all offices as the volume of the work and any special circumstances render necessary. During the year, fifteen of the nineteen District Public Trustee offices and seven of the twelve District Manager offices were inspected, either by the Chief Inspector or by his Assistant, and all necessary action arising out of these inspections was taken. The Office has in the smaller towns of importance agencies conducted on a commission basis by local business men. These agencies are under the control of the District Public Trustees in whose districts they are situated, and the controlling District Public Trustees periodically inspect and report to the Public Trustee on the conduct of the work of the agencies.

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