8.—9.

A summary of the educational and professional qualifications of officers shows that — 26 have been admitted as barristers and solicitors. 23 hold the degree of LL.M. 32 „ LL.B. 5 „ M.A. 4 „ B.A. 10 „ B.Com. 68 have passed the Law Professional Examination. 153 have passed the Accountants' Professional Examination. 30. JRetirements. —The following officers retired during the year : — Mr. H. Stubbs, District Solicitor, Wellington, on the grounds of ill health. Mr. B. E. Fairfax-Cholmeley, Farm Inspector, New Plymouth, and Mr. E. A. H. Powell, Assistant Property Inspector, Wellington, these officers having attained the compulsory retiring age under the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 1927. 31. Appointment of Farm Inspectors. —Mr. H. P. Kay, formerly Farm Inspector at Gisborne, was appointed to a position in the State Advances Corporation, and applications for the position of Farm Inspector at Gisborne were invited from persons outside the Service as well as from persons already in the Service. Mr. A. Allan was appointed to the vacancy at Gisborne and Mr. A. D. Harris was selected to fill the numerical vacancy, vice Mr. Fairfax-Cholmeley. Both these positions were filled by applicants from outside the Service. 32. Five-clay Week. —Saturday closing became operative in the Service as from the 14th November, 1936, with the exception of those offices which were required by statute to be open or where the public would be inconvenienced. The Head Office of the Public Trust Office has observed Saturday closing since that date, but the arrangement was not extended to branch offices until the sth June. 33. Restoration of Salaries. —As from the Ist July, 1936, the salaries of all officers were restored in accordance with the scale in operation in 1931. 34. Minimum Salaries of Male Officers of Adult Age. —As from the Ist November, 1936, all male officers of adult age were granted a minimum salary. The effect of this was that officers, irrespective of service, who had attained the age of twenty-one years were entitled to an allowance sufficient to bring their salaries up to £155 per annum, commencing as from the Ist November, 1936, the allowance being increased by £10 in respect of each completed year (up to four) of permanent service at the age of twenty-one or thereafter. 35. Appointment of Cadets for Training.—During the year eighty-six additional cadets were appointed to the staff of the Office. Of this total thirty were appointed to enable juniors engaged on records and other routine duties to be placed on more advanced work and the remainder to fill numerical vacancies caused by resignations and transfers of officers to other branches of the Service. OFFICE OBGANIZATION AND EEPEESENTATION. 36. District Representation. —The only changes in district representation during the year were the appointment of agents at Huntly and Murchison. As at the 31st March, 1937, the Public Trustee was represented in eightyeight towns in the Dominion. This representation, comprising twenty-three District Public Trustees, twenty-one District Managers, six part-time offices, and thirty-eight agencies, was found adequate for the requirements of the Office. 37. Inspections and Audit. —The Office work in regard to cash, securities, and other valuables is subject to close and continual check by qualified accounting officers, and the final audit is made by the Government Audit Department. The inspection system covers all phases of the work of the branches, which are visited annually by Inspectors from Head Office. Special attention is given to the quality of the estates administration, and organization and staffing. The knowledge gained by Inspectors as to the special conditions in each district and the calibre of each "officer is invaluable in considering staff movements.

13