B.—-9

A further statutory provision enables the Public Trustee to advance money to beneficiaries in estates under his administration, provided, of course, there is adequate security for the advance required. The advantages to beneficiaries of obtaining financial assistance by this method —namely, a low rate of interest, and the immediate application in reduction of the advance of any moneys available for repayment of the advance, are fully appreciated by beneficiaries and have been extensively availed of during the year. The amount of current advances to estates and beneficiaries at 31st March, 1938, was £610,044. 25. Local Bodies' Sinking Funds. —The conversion of local-body indebtedness or other rearrangement of finances is still taking place, although the great majority of local bodies have already completed these arrangements. During the year under review a substantial amount was released by the Office from sinking funds held on behalf of local bodies which, in terms of the arrangements made for the conversion of their loans, required payments to be made from their respective sinking funds. The amount held at 31st March, 1938, on behalf of local bodies' sinking funds was £4,485,616. STAFF. 26. The principal staff changes effected during the year ended 31st March, 1938, were — (a) The transfer of Mr. P. B. Broad, Assistant Solicitor, Head Office, to the Crown Law Office. ('b) The transfer of Mr. L. S. Lipscombe, First Assistant District Public Trustee, Christchurch, to the Inspectorial Staff of the Head Office. (c) The appointment of Mr. A. H. Ihle, District Public Trustee, Greymouth, to the position of First Assistant District Public Trustee, Christchurch. (d) The appointment of Mr. W. Kane, Second Assistant District Public Trustee, Christchurch, to the position of District Public Trustee, Greymouth. (e) The appointment of Mr. W. J. Forsyth, District Public Trustee, Dannevirke, to the position of District Public Trustee, Nelson. (/) The appointment of Mr. L. A. Chatwin, Assistant Inspector, Head Office, to the position of District Public Trustee, Dannevirke. (g) The appointment of Mr. J. W. D. Mardon, Senior Estates Clerk, Wellington, to the position of Second Assistant District Public Trustee, Christchurch. (h) The appointment of Mr. D. R. Wood, District Solicitor, Hamilton, to the position of District Solicitor, Wellington. (i) The appointment of Mr. I. D. Jack, Assistant District Solicitor, Wellington, to the position of District Solicitor, Hamilton. (j) The transfer of Mr. W. S. Kent, District Solicitor, Napier, to the position of Legal Clerk, Christchurch. (k) The appointment of Mr. C. E. W. Wacher, Legal Clerk, Christchurch, to the position of District Solicitor, Napier. (I), The appointment of Mr. A. J. Quill, Legal Clerk, Wellington, to the position of District Solicitor, Greymouth. 27. The following statement indicates the number of staff, including the Public Trustee and Assistant Public Trustees, engaged in the work of the Department as at the 31st March, 1937 and 1938, at the Head Office and at the District offices : — Head Office. On 31st March, 1937 — On 31st March, 1938 — Permanent . . 102 Permanent .. 100 Temporary . . 24 Temporary . . 20 126 120

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