UNDESERVED ODIUM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 301, 16 September 1919, Page 6

UNDESERVED ODIUM

PUBLIC TRUST TENEMENTS. "Much undeserved odium is sometimes cast upon the office owing to the condition ui residential tenements belonging to i-stiites under its control," says tho annual report of the Public Trust Office, "and it is desirable that some of the difficulties which surround the administration of such properties should be made known. The Public Trustee frequently finds himself called upon to administer estates in which au asset consists of property in a cundition of disrepair and situated in areas which aro not regarded favourably by belter-class tenants. Tho Public Trustee is bound to undertake this duty to the best of Ins ability. Many special difficulties occur in such a ease, the nature and extent of which are not fully appreciated, it frequently luippens that, although repairs aro urgently needed, thero is no money in the estate to allow of their being carried out; and where such repairs are' a charge against iucoino it is impossible to raise tho necessary funds, by charging tho capital property therewith.

"Again, it may ho.ppen that tho income lrom the property is the solo support of a widow in straitened circumstances and with infant children to support, 6o" that it is impossible to divert any of the funds to the carrying-out of repairs. In many cases, owing to tho provisions of, tho will under which tho estato is being administered, tho properties cannot be disposed of by sale. "The opinion appsars to be widely hold that tho Public Trust Office as a Government Department should set a better example in repairing tenancies under its control. Tho fact is, however, that in this matter the Public Trustee is liko any other trustee aud can proceed only so" far as the assets in the estate and powers of tho trust permit. Subject to theso restrictions, tlio office endeavours' to seo that all tenancies under its eontrol aro maintained in as good a condition as possible. In every easo inspections arc made at regular intervals by qualified men, and the board has recently resolved to appoint' additional property inspectors in the principal centres to ensure that this essential work shall 1m satisfactorily carried out. It has also arranged for inspections to bo made by qualified tradesmen where necessary, and for repairs to bo carried out under their supervision. ''Tho board feels that these facta should bo placed on record, particularly in vioiv of certain statements which were made public as the ircsult of inspections carried put under tho direction of civio authorities at the time of tho influenza epidemic."