PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1536, 4 September 1912, Page 4

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

' OPERATIONS' FOR THE YEAR. The report on the Public Trust Office for the year ended March 31, 1912, wag presented to Parliament yesterday. The following tablo shows the expansion ol business during tho last five years:— Number Number. Number Number on . of of pay- of staff, receipts, ments. estates. 1908 ... 98 20,903 ' 37,309 4,770 1909 ... 103 23,414 43,359* -5,019-, lfllO ... 112 25,823 43,613 5,5041911 ... 138 30,401 54,789 6,112 . ' 1912 ... 160 41,159 62,280 6,694Number of wills deValue of posited Capital Net . estates. ' during funds, profits. £ the year. £ & 1908 5,531,658 616 2,507,661. 9,639 . 1909 6,399.567 " 718 2,850,111 -10,850 1910 7,358,917 814 3,414,168. 11,738 1911 8,112,342 ■ 9P3 4,287,195 11,241 1912 9,493,059 1,024 50,070,305 25,919 ■ The net profits for 1912' (.£25,919) more than doubled those of any previous.vear. Tho drop in the profits for 1911 was duo to the fact that a reduced scale of charges, came into force at tho beginning of that s€ Th'e Public Trustee (Dr. Fitchett) remarks that he thinks thero is less'mere routine work in .the Public Trust Office than in any other Government Penartment. Ho considers that the officers above the ordinary grade are distinctly underpaid. .